A vacant childcare center in Bristol Township was damaged in an arson fire.

Firefighters responded to the vacant Willie Wee Learning Center on Norton Avenue just past 2:30 a.m. Saturday for a fire. The 9-1-1 caller reportedly said kids were trapped in the basement of the building.

Due to the initial report, firefighters began an extensive search of the empty building, which had already been slated for demolition.

Third District Fire Company Chief Howard McGoldrick said firefighters were unable to locate anyone inside, and Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito stated police didn’t find anyone around the building when they arrived.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to a storage closet in the basement, Dippolito said.

McGoldrick said crews from Levittown Fire Company No. 2 were leaving the scene of an unrelated nearby crash and were able to arrive quickly.

Firefighters from several companies had to remove security bars from the windows as part of their search, McGoldrick said.

Dippolito told LevittownNow.com that representatives from Norton Avenue Baptist Church, which owns the property, said homeless individuals have been found in the building in the past.

The fire was determined to be an arson and is under investigation.

No injuries were reported.

The food pantry building on the property was the site of an arson on Jan. 13.

In addition to the Third District Fire Company, the Croydon, Edgely, Levittown No. 1 and Levittown No. 2, and Newportville fire companies responded.

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