Fire damages Boyd Intermediate School's roof

Elwood School District officials expect James H. Boyd Intermediate School to open for classes this morning despite a fire that burned a more than 100-square-foot section of the school's roof.

Forty-five Greenlawn Fire Department firefighters responded to the fire at the school on Cuba Hill Road in Huntington at about 12:35 p.m. Sunday, first assistant Chief Scott Dalrymple said. No one was hurt, and the building suffered roof damage and minor interior damage, Dalrymple said.

The Suffolk Police Arson Squad and the Huntington Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire, Dalrymple said. Roofing and insulation materials burned in the blaze, he said.

"The area that was burned has to be repaired," Dalrymple said.

School board trustee Michael Kaszubski said a contractor is inspecting the building to make sure it will be safe to open Monday.

Right now school officials "are anticipating" the school will open as normal, he said.

"Safety's first for all the children so we're just dotting our I's and crossing our T's," Kaszubski said.

Three engines and a ladder truck were used to fight the fire, the Greenlawn Fire Department said in a statement. Commack Fire Department assisted, fire officials said.

The blaze at the one-story school was called in by people who were playing lacrosse nearby, Dalrymple said.

The fire was under control in less than a half-hour, he said.

The school has about 600 students and serves grades three, four and five.

"The damage wasn't extensive, but they were having someone look at it to make sure it was, in fact, safe to open," Kaszubski said.