What police described as "a major leak'' from a propane truck in Shirley on Long Island has been fixed.
The leak had prompted an evacuation of 900 homes. The Associated Press reported that by 10 p.m. Saturday, those who had to evacuate could now return.
The leak also caused a temporary halt to Long Island Rail Road service between Speonk and Patchogue, Suffolk County police and railroad officials said.
Suffolk County police officials say no one was injured but out of caution they urged residents to leave the area or helped them to a fire station until they could complete the investigation. Police officials said the evacuated homes are between the east side of the William Floyd Parkway to Titmus Drive, in between the Rail Road. The evacuation zone extends north to the Sunrise Highway, which has been shut-down.
The Suffolk County Chapter of the American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter at William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach. Although the leak is now fixed, residents are still being advised to stay away from their homes until further notice.
Police got a call at 1:13 a.m. Saturday after the truck driver, making a delivery to Kohl's department store, noticed the leak. He was at 999 Montauk Highway. He shut down the truck but was unable to stop the leak.
