Suspicious fire at Valley Stream high school

The Nassau County Arson Bomb Squad is investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at Valley Stream South High School Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on Oct. 19, a fire was discovered in a small wastebasket in a second-floor boys bathroom, according to detectives. The student told a teacher, who then put the flames out with a fire extinguisher.

“A student alerted a teacher that there was smoke coming out of the wastebasket…the teacher responded, saw the smoke, and extinguished it,” said Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich. The fire alarm was also pulled, and the building at 150 Jedwood Place was evacuated.

The Valley Stream Fire Department responded to the scene. Approximately 15 department members arrived to find students and staff members outside of the building. After investigating, department personnel determined the building was safe to re-enter. Classes were resumed after the incident.

No injuries were reported, according to police. There was no structural damage, except to the burned wastebasket, and some heat and water damage to the bathroom. “There was damage that is being taken care of internally,” Heidenreich said. “Nothing done to prevent normal operations.”

The cause of the fire is undetermined, according to detectives. But firefighters noticed the fire appears to have been started by a lighter or match, according to Heidenreich.

The investigation is still ongoing. “The intention is to pursue this seriously,” Heidenreich said. “When they find someone, that person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”