A midday blaze gutted part of a Sandys nursery yesterday, but a woman and four small children managed to get out unscathed.

According to a Police spokesman, smoke and fire were seen “billowing from the residence” when they arrived at about 12.30pm.

Area residents said the fire service responded swiftly — but the top residence of the two-story building on Woodlawn Road sustained “minor structural damage with extensive heat and smoke damage throughout”.

Youngsters were playing contentedly outside shortly afterwards. A neighbour said the whole interior of the residence was left blackened.

Another neighbour told The Royal Gazette that he caught the smell of smoke and initially thought someone was burning trash.

“Then I thought it was coming from my own house,” he said. “I looked out the kitchen window and saw the house below with a lot of smoke coming out. I took immediate action and closed all my windows.

“There were just little toddlers inside; thank God they were all safe. They were all right.”

Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service Sergeant Russann Francis said: “We responded to a fire at a two-storey residence where the fire was contained to one room on the upper level. Two firefighters in breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire.”

She confirmed that all occupants had safely left the premises before their arrival.

“The fire is currently under investigation,” Sgt Francis added.

“We would like to remind the community whenever leaving their residence to close interior doors as this will assist in keeping the damage to a minimum during a fire.”