West Side School in Laurel Hollow, damaged in fire, could reopen in weeks, superintendent says
The West Side School in Laurel Hollow has been closed since an early morning fire broke out there on March 10. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
A Laurel Hollow elementary school that was severely damaged in a fire earlier this month could potentially reopen to students and staff within weeks, the district superintendent said in a statement.
The West Side School, which is part of the Cold Spring Harbor district, has been closed since an early morning blaze at the school on March 10. Superintendent Joseph Monastero said the library, creative learning lab and community rooms sustained extensive damage, and other parts of the building have water and smoke damage.
The school's approximately 220 students are attending classes in the district's three other buildings while repairs are ongoing, Monastero said.
"I am tremendously proud of how the students, staff and community have come together [to] support the district and continue to educate our students," Monastero said. "Cold Spring Harbor is a tremendous community, and we will build back stronger."
Officials previously said the predawn fire was brought under control within two hours after being contained to the library and surrounding rooms. Nassau Chief Fire Marshal Michael F. Uttaro said Wednesday the blaze is believed to have been an accidental electrical fire involving the main electrical panels in a room underneath the library. He said it was "a serious failure of the panel" and the fire emanated from that area.
The school was unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries, officials have said.
Firefighters from multiple companies battled the blaze March 10 at the West Side School. Credit: Paul Mazza
Monastero said the school's sixth grade students have been moved to Cold Spring Harbor Jr. Sr. High School. Second grade students are attending classes at Goosehill Primary School, and grades 3 to 5 have been relocated to Lloyd Harbor Elementary School.
Monastero said bus routes have been adjusted to accommodate the temporary relocation of West Side students, and parents are being updated daily.
The superintendent said repairs are being made to the building, though not in the library, creative learning lab and community rooms.
"We are working with our insurance company on replacing items," he said. "We have also contacted local districts to borrow instruments [and] some of the instruments have already arrived on site."
The historic school dates back almost 250 years. It started as a one-room school house that George Washington visited in 1790 while it was under construction, according to the district.
