Nobody was injured after a fire near Guggenheim Elementary School caused students to be dismissed early on Wednesday, the Port Washington Fire Department announced.
Officials were notified of a smoke odor and a fire alarm sounding in the school’s vicinity at 1:20 p.m. Upon arrival, they found smoke coming from a house on Sands Place.
“Under the direction of Chief of Department Brian Waterson, two hand lines were stretched and operated while crews searched for victims,” the department posted. “The fire was located in an apartment at the rear of the structure which had started in the basement and had extended to the first floor.”
Students were dismissed early because the firefighters had to operate from the elementary school’s only exit.
The Manhasset-Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department and Roslyn Highlands Volunteer Fire Co. assisted in the effort. The Plandome Fire Department was also on standby to respond to any additional alarms in Port Washington.
The fire was quickly extinguished and overhauled to prevent further spread. Nobody was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The investigation was reported to the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire appears to be unintentional and is not considered suspicious but is still under investigation, officials say.
