East Northport FD Responds to Natural Gas Leak from Town Garbage Truck

From:  First Ass’t Chief Wayne Kaifler Jr., East Northport Fire Department

On Monday April 14 at 11:19 a.m., the East Northport Fire Department was activated for a Gas Leak at the intersection of Pulaski Road and Old Bridge Road. Upon arrival the crews arrived to find a Town of Huntington Garbage Truck that was leaking up to 4,000 pounds of Natural Gas. The crews did have a positive water supply from a nearby hydrant, and utilized a two hose lines to dissipate said leak. The operation was under the direction of Captain Thomas Bourne, and he placed the scene under control one and a half hours after the incident began. The department responded with three engines, an ambulance, fire police, and paramedic. Suffolk Police also responded for traffic and as well as an ESU for support. Suffolk County Town Fire Coordinators were also on scene.  There were three residents that were evacuated for precautionary reasons. After the incident was cleared the residents were able to return home. No injuries occurred at the incident and the scene was handed over to the TOH when the leak dissipated. Northport Fire Department provided an engine standby and Centerport Fire Department and Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps provided ambulance coverage.

Photo by Scott Dalrymple