West Babylon elementary school engulfed in flames
A fire at the South Bay Elementary School in West Babylon rages out of control late Thursday night. Firefighters from several local departments responded to the scene. (Feb. 18, 2010) Credit: Adam Daley
A West Babylon school was ravaged by a fire that erupted Thursday night at about 10 p.m., officials said.
Firefighters at several local departments fought the blaze all through the night at South Bay Elementary School, at 160 Great East Neck Rd.
"It's pretty bad," said West Babylon school Superintendent Anthony Cacciola, who was at the scene of the blaze Thursday night, along with several parents and school officials.
PHOTOS: Fire engulfs South Bay Elementary School in West Babylon
"The fire alarm apparently went off at 10 p.m. and the head custodian responded," he said. "By the time he got there, the fire department was already on the scene."
South Bay, which opened in 1953, is one of five elementary schools in the West Babylon school district. It has an enrollment of approximately 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to its Web site.
There was no information Thursday night about any injuries, but the school was reported to be unoccupied at the time. The school is closed this week for winter break.
The blaze was fought by firefighters from the West Babylon Fire Department, who were quickly joined by volunteers from Babylon, Copiague, East Farmingdale, North Babylon, Lindenhurst and North Lindenhurst.
Just past midnight, the building was fully engulfed in flames, fire officials said.
