Sydney day care evacuated after fire

Almost 80 children have been evacuated from a day care centre in Sydney's east after a fire started in the laundry.

A Sydney day care centre has been evacuated after fire engulfed a washing machine.

About 78 children and 22 adults were evacuated from the Coogee Bear Day Care Centre on Wednesday afternoon, a Fire & Rescue NSW spokeswoman told AAP.

The fire started in a washing machine and caused minor damage to the laundry area before being contained.

The spokeswoman said the centre has been rendered safe.