Fire damages West Hempstead elementary school

Detectives from the Nassau arson/bomb squad and the Nassau County Fire Marshal are investigating a fire last night at a West Hempstead elementary school they say was intentionally set, officials said.

More than 100 firefighters from five departments responded to the blaze at the George Washington Elementary School on William Street.

Witnesses told investigators they heard a loud explosion at the school before seeing several people running from the scene. A short time later, smoke and flames were visible. The blaze, at the rear of the main complex, badly damaged a temporary building connected to the school, one witness said.

Officials said the building sustained heavy fire and water damage.

West Hempstead, Elmont, Garden City, Hempstead and Lakeview firefighters responded to the alarm at 8:35 p.m. and fought the blaze for about a half-hour before it was brought under control, fire officials said.

The building was not occupied at the time of the blaze and there were no reported injuries, officials said.