Crime & Safety

Update: Classes Resume Following Evacuation at Howitt Middle School

Farmingdale students and faculty from the sixth and seventh grade buildings returned to their classrooms at 11:45 a.m.

Students and staff have returned to the sixth and seventh grade buildings of following an "all clear" from the fire department, school officials said.

The sixth and seventh grade buildings of were evacuated this morning due to a reported smoke condition in the Howitt East gymnasium, according to a district announcement. The superintendent's office said smoke was being emitted from a radiator in the gym and the students were evacuated just as a precaution.

The responded and checked the building. Students and staff were held in the eighth grade building until the fire department completed its inspection and declared the building safe to occupy. Students returned to their fifth period classes.

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The East Farmingdale Fire Department and Bethpage Fire Department also responded to the scene, which is standard procedure for all school fires.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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