Firefighters Combat Leaking Propane Tank

Plainview firefighters confronted an unusual situation Wednesday when a propane tank was found to be leaking at Trio Hardware in the Morton Village Plaza.

Firefighters arrived about 3:50 p.m. and located the leaking 20-gallon tank at the tank exchange area behind the landmark hardware store.

The Hicksville Haz Mat unit was "special called" to the scene and chief officers determined the leaking propane had to be burned off safely, firefighters said.

Knowles Street, which runs behind Morton Village, was blocked off
and it was determined that a "burn off" was necessary. Hose lines were connected to hydrants along Knowles Street and were charged.

Haz Mat specialists piped the gas into a 55-gallon drum and burned off the contents of the tank without incident.

The extreme outdoor temperature made conditions dangerous for the
crews operating at the scene, who had to don full gear because of the emergency. The Plainview Support Unit responded to assist in hydrating fire fighters.

No injuries were reported; the roadway was reopened at 5:10 p.m, firefighters said.