WASHINGTON, D.C. – A day care in southeast D.C. may remain closed for months following an explosion that occurred on Thursday, leveling a convenience store next door and causing minor injuries to one person.
The incident took place in the 1200 block of Marion Barry Avenue SE, in the Anacostia neighborhood. A convenience store was completely destroyed, and two other buildings, including a transitional housing facility for women, sustained damage.
Firefighters responded to a gas leak at the building’s meter and initiated evacuations, with the help of staff at the Baby Einstein Child Development Center. Despite the quick action, the explosion occurred about 15 minutes after all 16 children at the day care were safely evacuated.
The day care owner, Regina Snead, shared a surveillance video capturing the moment of the explosion, showing items being thrown across the room and windows blown out. The aftermath of the explosion has not only affected the day care but has also left parents with limited child care options in the neighborhood.
Snead expressed relief that all the children were safely evacuated and credited their regular emergency evacuation practices for saving lives. As the day care sets out to find a temporary operating space, a fundraiser has been organized to help them recover from the damage and continue supporting families in Anacostia.
In addition to the impact on the day care, the neighborhood faces the challenge of the convenience store’s closure, which served as an important source of essential goods in an area with limited grocery options.
Recovery efforts in the area are expected to be extensive, with a priority on relocating the day care center and rebuilding the convenience store to resume its vital role in the community.