Shelter-in-place order lifted for Bellmore neighborhood after propane leak at filling station
Firefighters at the scene Monday of a propane leak at a liquefied petroleum gas filling station in Bellmore that led to a shelter-in-place order for residents of the surrounding neighborhood. Credit: Jim Staubitser
A shelter-in-place order was lifted late Monday for a Bellmore neighborhood where first responders stopped a propane leak at a liquefied petroleum gas filling station, the authorities said.
Residents on the blocks surrounding the station at 2036 Bellmore Ave., which is home to Island Greenery Nursery, had been advised to stay inside, according to a news release from the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office. The nursery is located near Martin Avenue.
The Bellmore Fire Department arrived on scene at 5:56 p.m. to address a leak from a valve on a 1,150-gallon cylinder used to fill smaller 20-pound cylinders, such as a barbecue tank.
Representatives from the county fire marshal's office were on scene as well as hazardous materials crews. A Newsday photo shows firefighters spraying water near a building and what appears to be a large tank to its right. To the building's left, a bright orange flame could be seen leaping skyward.
In an update late Monday, the Nassau fire marshal's Hazardous Materials Response Team had already staffed a second crew due to the typical increase of propane leaks and fires on Memorial Day, officials said.
Firefighters from surrounding communities stretched hose lines and deployed fog patterns to dissipate the leaking gas so it did not ignite around the tank, officials said.
The shelter-in-place order was issued for two blocks in each direction and police secured the perimeter to keep civilians away from the scene. It was lifted shortly before 11 p.m.
The hazmat team conducted a flaring operation, or controlled burning, to bring down the pressure in the cylinder and prevent release of excess propane gas. The vendor who supplies propane was called to the scene and brought an empty pressurized storage tank to pump the product from the damaged tank into the recovery tank.
Deborah Morris is a native Long Islander and covers the town of Huntington.
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