This morning 10/12/2019 a little after 0900 hours the Croton Falls Fire Department was dispatched to a reported damaged underground propane tank. A pre-arrival update from our dispatchers at 60 Control notified us that a contractor damaged the tank with a piece of machinery.

The first arriving firefighters advised the units en-route of the situation and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Hazmat Team was requested to the scene. Upon the arrival of Engine 148 a hose line was stretched and firefighters utilized a fog stream to dissipate the propane vapors. Additional assistance was requested from the Goldens Bridge Fire Department who responded and established a water source nearby to provide a continuous supply of water to Tanker 8 and Engine 148. The North Salem Ambulance Corps was also requested to standby at the scene as a precaution. North Salem Police Department and New York State Police were on scene as well and controlled traffic in the area while units operated.

The propane company who owned the tank was requested to the scene and was able to secure the leak and then pump off the remaining propane from the tank to finalize the mitigation the situation. Croton Falls, Goldens Bridge, and WCDES Hazmat units operated at the scene for several hours until the remaining propane was pumped from the tank. During the incident NYSEG was requested to the scene and shut down power to the area while the leak was active. Neighboring houses were checked for interior propane readings throughout the incident and several residences were evacuated until the situation was deemed under control.

While the units operated, the Somers Fire department relocated an engine to Croton Falls Station 1 to cover any additional calls in district.