From the archives: Fire at Farmingdale college

Fire ripped through part of the Allard Field House at Farmingdale State College yesterday, collapsing the wooden facade at the front of the building.

The East Farmingdale Fire Department and Suffolk County Police Arson Squad were among eight area responders to the fire, which occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m.

The blaze tore through most of the front of the building and caused extensive smoke and water damage to a warehouse nearby.

Lt. James Rooney of the Suffolk County Arson Squad said yesterday that investigators were searching for the fire's point of origin, trying to determine if the blaze was deliberately set.

A firefighter suffered lacerations and was taken to North Shore University Hospital in Plainview, said East Farmingdale Fire Chief Anthony Nicholas.
No students were injured, officials said.

"There was a huge cloud of smoke in the air and flames were shooting out of the window," said Walter Hyde, 20, a junior.

The Allard Field House was being used as a maintenance and storage facility, said Kathy Coley, the college's communications director. School officials said the building is about 50 years old and had served as a gymnasium and auditorium.

In 1964, the building was named for Jerry Allard, who was a coach at the college for more than 30 years, Coley said.