Valley Stream school reopens after fire

One day after an arson fire forced its evacuation and closure, Valley Stream North Junior-Senior High School reopened its doors Wednesday.

"School will begin at the regular start time," the district said in a message posted on its website. "The school is in excellent condition."

The fire, which caused heavy smoke and set off alarms at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, resulted in minor injuries to four school staff members, Nassau County police said.

The 1,200 students and staff in the building were evacuated to a nearby athletic field.

Superintendent Marc Bernstein said it appeared that a paper towel dispenser had been set on fire. The plastic dispenser caused smoke Bernstein said "was quite intense."

The Franklin Square Munson fire department responded. School personnel who tried to extinguish the fire were treated for smoke inhalation at a hospital.

Investigators from the Nassau Arson-Bomb Squad are looking into the circumstances.