A three-alarm electrical fire swept through West Side Elementary School in Syosset early Tuesday, forcing the closing of the school, fire marshals said. The school was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The Cold Spring Harbor School District, which includes the West Side Elementary School, issued a message that the school will remain closed until further notice and that people should stay away from the area. The school board has previously scheduled a meeting for tonight,
Nassau County Fire Coordinator Michael Uttaro said in a phone call that about 150 firefighters worked together to put out the blaze. He said the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District Superintendent Joseph Monastero was on the scene and very helpful in providing information about the building to ensure the operation went as smoothly as possible.
Uttaro said he expected the school board to address the school’s closure at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office reported that an automatic fire alarm, triggered by smoke detectors, was received by Nassau County Fire Communications at 4:40 a.m.
Fire officials said an electrical fire at the school on Laurel Hollow Road caused extensive structural damage, though the fire was confined to the library and nearby central rooms, according to Nassau County police and fire marshals.
The Oyster Bay Fire Company and Atlantic Steamer Fire Company responded to the scene, where they found smoke and fire.
The fire was under control within 2 hours, with 16 Nassau and Suffolk County fire departments assisting.
Uttaro said the Nassau County Fire Marshals and the detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad are investigating the exact cause of the fire.
