ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — State officials in New York are marking the start of fall college classes with a series of campus fire safety inspections.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office said Friday personnel from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control will inspect both private and public colleges and universities.

Authorities will also conduct training sessions for residence hall assistants, college staff and students.

In the past year nearly 27,000 inspections have taken place at campuses across the state.

Cuomo, a Democrat, says the state instituted some of the nation's toughest campus fire inspection laws following a fatal fire in 2000 at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

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