Curious Kids' Museum closed due to fire, water damage

 

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- The Curious Kids' Museum is temporarily closed while staff assess the damage from a fire that happened Tuesday morning.

The museum was closed when the fire started around 9:30 a.m.

Firefighters from St. Joseph, Lincoln and Benton Township responded to the scene.

Firefighters extinguished the fire quickly.

“It was probably about 15 minutes. We had some hot spots in the ceiling, and it appears at this time that it was electrical, that started in the new part of the Curious Kid’s. We’ve got extensive damage to the ceiling, about thirty percent was pulled out," said Steve Neubecker, the Public Safety Director for the City of St. Joseph.

While everyone is thankful no one was injured in the fire, the families that came out were a little disappointed they weren't able to enjoy the museum.

“We saw this from afar and we figured maybe it was part of the exhibit today," said Scott Conrad, visiting St. Joe with his family from Austin, Texas. "We were excited, but until we got closer, we realized that it wasn’t an exhibit.”

Conrad visited the museum many times as a child and hoped to finally share the experience with his own daughter while visiting from Texas.

“It was one of our favorite places in Southwest Michigan to go, so we were excited to take our four-year old for her first time today, and pass it on to her. It’s really sad to see this. It’s been around for so long. It’s one of the staples in the town here, especially with the kids. Hopefully it’s alright," Conrad said.

In a statement posted to their website, representatives of the museum are unsure when they will be able to reopen.

“We were planning on coming to the Curious Kids’ Museum for about three days, maybe?" said Dariana, a young girl who came out with her family. "I’m really disappointed that we didn’t get to go, because I was really excited.”

However, this does not mean families are not able to enjoy everything the Curious Kids' Museum has to offer. Their Discovery Zone, located down by Silver Beach, is still open.

Click here for more information about the status of the museum.