"Unfortunately, with books and paper, there's heavy fire load, so once it gets in there, it's tough to extinguish. You gotta get into every nook and cranny there to really cool it off."
"School officials said the building is more than 200 years old, and former president George Washington once slept in the damaged wing of the building."
A fire broke out at West Side Elementary School in Laurel Hollow on Long Island early Tuesday morning, triggered by smoke detectors at 4:40 a.m. The Oyster Bay Fire Company and Atlantic Steamer Fire Company responded to find flames shooting from the roof with heavy smoke overhead. The blaze was contained to the library area and adjacent rooms. Fire officials noted that books and paper create significant fire load, making extinguishment difficult. The building, over 200 years old, once housed President George Washington. Firefighters controlled the fire within two hours with no injuries. Nassau County fire investigators and the arson bomb squad are investigating the cause. The school remains closed pending damage assessment and future reopening plans.
Read at Cbsnews
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