Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
2,000 Evacuated After L.I. Propane Leak
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 2, 2011
Modified Jan 2, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 2, 2011
Modified Jan 2, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, two thousand residents in Shirley and Mastic on Long Island were evacuated at around 1:30 a.m. due to a gas leak. According to Newsday, "A cracked plastic valve on a propane tank was the source of a leak that sent thousands of gallons of toxic, flammable liquefied propane gas." Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said, “It could have been a terrible disaster, a terrible explosion, but fortunately we had seasoned, trained professionals who did their jobs very well and averted a tragedy."
The 30,000 gallon tank was behind a Kohl's shopping center on the Montauk Highway. The leak was repaired by 3 p.m., and residents were finally able to return to their homes around 8:15 p.m.. But being roused from their beds in the wee hours of 2011 was exhausting, saying that they were looking forward to getting some sleep and taking a shower. One said to WABC 7, "I look out the window I see the police, the fire department saying you have to get out! We're evacuating the area! I obeyed the instructions and left right away. The whole area was blocked off." Another said, "When we came out, we could smell the gas." Officials say their homes are safe, but a town board member said the danger was real, "The ignition of a pilot flame, a pilot light could potentially ignite propane if it was a to fill a basement."
While no criminality is suspected, Levy said there will be an investigation. Brookhaven, where the mall is located, will look into whether the tank's owner had the proper permits. The LIRR had even halted service.
Tagged
gas leak
long island
mastic
propane gas
Shirley
suffolk county
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE subpoena puts a spotlight on the last emergency migrant shelter in NYC
The federal government is seeking information about residents of the South Bronx migrant shelter.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Nov 10, 2026 at 10:01 a.m. ET
Early Addition: What's better than sitting on a New York City bench?
Because it's a top-tier way to live, here are your early links: Michael Bloomberg got married yesterday, rollerbladers take over the streets on Wednesday nights, good cinnamon buns and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: What's better than sitting on a New York City bench?
Because it's a top-tier way to live, here are your early links: Michael Bloomberg got married yesterday, rollerbladers take over the streets on Wednesday nights, good cinnamon buns and more.
By
James Ramsay
Manhattan's Canal Street is getting a face-lift, but it'll take a while
By
Willow Higgins
Rent-stabilized buildings hit auction block, despite Mamdani’s efforts to intervene
By
David Brand
Man charged with murder after woman found stabbed to death in Queens, NYPD says
By
Phil Corso
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .