A sprinkler system helped contain an early morning fire at Storybrook Academy in Flowery Branch, but the daycare remains closed while cleanup and repairs continue.
At around 1 a.m. Friday, Hall County Fire responded to an alarm at the small, single-story commercial building on Falcon Parkway, said HCFR spokesperson Kimberlie Ledsinger. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the structure and requested additional units.
According to Ledsinger, crews located the fire in one room, where an automatic sprinkler system had already activated and assisted in extinguishing the flames. The blaze was contained to that room, and crews ventilated the building to remove smoke.
Falcon Parkway was temporarily shut down while hose lines crossed the roadway. No injuries were reported.
The fire forced the private preschool to close its doors for several days so that cleanup could continue. In a letter to families, preschool owners Karmyla Story and Brooke Webb said their top priority is ensuring a safe, clean environment before reopening.
“Our team will be working diligently through the night and weekend to complete temporary repairs,” they said.
The school is replacing its HVAC unit to protect air quality and expects the installation to be complete on Monday. Once fire inspections are cleared following demolition and renovation work, the academy plans to reopen on Wednesday, August 27.
“Multiple teams are working around the clock, and we want to ensure our campus is fully restored and safe before welcoming families back,” the statement read.
The Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
