Fuel tank at BP gas station source of suspicious odor at daycare: Columbia Fire

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Officials with the Columbia Fire Department say an equipment problem at a BP gas station near a daycare caused it to close after reports of a suspicious odor.

Officials say they received a call after 9 a.m. Monday about a strong odor inside Play Pals Daycare on Dothan Road.

Authorities say a staffer with the daycare was transported to the hospital. All 120 children who were in the daycare center were evacuated safely.

Fire officials say the gas station has suspended operations for the time being and the daycare will be closed until after Thanksgiving. They hope to open up on Monday.

Bonnie Saville is the owner of Play Pals Daycare. She said DHEC came out Friday and said everything was fine, but when the kids were in the building, the smell just kept getting stronger.

“As far as the process goes, getting everyone out… the building was evacuated in minutes,” Mike DeSumma said, with the Columbia Fire Department. ““If it smells like gas, please get out of your house, call 9-11, get a safe distance away and let us come and investigate.”

Residents in the area have also been allowed to return to their homes.

Firefighters are on scene with DHEC still investigating this incident.

Stay with ABC Columbia for more updates.