South Bay Elementary School In West Babylon Ravaged by Fire
Last night a fire destroyed 2 of 3 wings of this beloved elementary school that educates 400 children, Kindergarten through 5th grade. It continued to rage for 6 hours into the wee hours of the morning today.
A gas line exploded in the cafeteria and the boiler room may be to blame.
It is not clear if the children will attend that school come this Monday.
A volunteer fire-woman, Christine Manzi, teaches at the South Bay Elementary School and has said, "there will be a "big adjustment" for children and adults alike. She said the classroom is a teacher's "world," and contains things that can't be replaced.
A new library was built in the school recently. Since this school is only a few blocks from where I live, I was able to pass it and the outside of the building in the front looked fine. I can't even imagine what it looks like on the inside right now.
The one saving grace to all this? The school is closed this week for Winter break. It's times like these that we have angels or some other outside force watching out for us.
I was able to catch the Channel 2 News helicopter that was hovering overhead of our house:
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It is hard on a community when a school burns, it is home to so many. I am glad the children weren't in school when it started.
I went to South Bay when I was in 4th grade up until 5th. This is one if the best Elementary Schools I know and it's so sad to see this happen. I feel so bad for all the childen who do and who have attended this school. All of the hard work the teachers and children have done is destroyed ! I have helped a teacher named Mr.Schneider, who was my 5th grade teacher, recently put up his Broadway posters and T-shirts in his classroom. Just knowing I was there not that long ago seeing my old school is upsetting. This school and my teacher, Mr. Schneider is the reason I want to become a 1st or 2nd grade teacher, thanks for helping me so much. Thank God there were no kids in the school when this happened. The school will be re-built one day soon, but the memories this school had will never be forgotten !!
Hi Diane, I am also glad the kids and staff were not there. Angels were looking out.
Hi Kathleen, Even though 2/3's of the school are gone, nothing else can take away the memories you and others have. Those are yours, and yours alone. I'm sure this is upsetting to you and I only live a few blocks away and it's upsetting to me. It will be rebuilt and everyone will be able to rise above all this. :)
Jackie, I caught this late last night on the news....what an awful thing to happen! They didn't know what had caused it when I saw it and I was hoping you'd write about it and let us know.
Hi Carole, I found out about it early this morning. The channel 12 News helicopter was hovering above our house so I knew something wasn't right then I turned on the TV and saw what the problem was. It's sad but very happy that the kids were not there.