SAN ANTONIO – A man sprang into action, evacuating many who were in danger, when he heard children screaming during a fire that broke out Tuesday morning at a day care on the Northeast Side.
More than 60 children were evacuated from the Bright Kids Daycare Center.
The facility is a total loss, but no injuries were reported.
While driving through Thousand Oaks, Randy Hughart pulled out his phone to record video of the building completely engulfed in flames.
"Smoke just pouring out of every edge of the building, from the roof, from the doors, from the windows," Hughart said.
Hughart then realized the children were in danger.
"I could hear kids screaming, so I decided to pull into the parking lot," Hughart said.
Hughart said he and two other men rounded up as many children as they could, reuniting them with staff members.
"At one point, I saw a crib, with five babies in there. They were attempting to move the babies all together at once," Hughart said. "I'm sure those children left all their belongings, along with the teacher's belongings, stayed inside of that building. There was no time for that."
Hughart, who has been a volunteer firefighter in the past, said helping was a natural instinct. He got out of the way once San Antonio firefighters arrived.
City buses were used to get the children to a nearby day care, where their parents were waiting.
"I have children at home, and I would hope if someone was passing by, who was capable of helping my children in a time of need, they would do the same," Hughart said. "I would take any chance I could to help younger people in need.”
City Public Service workers said Tuesday afternoon that they are preparing the building for demolition.
The San Antonio Fire Department said the arson unit is still investigating, but the fire is not suspicious.
Bright Kids Daycare Center staff members said children can now be dropped off at their second location, which is just 2 miles south, on Clearspring Drive.
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