Propane Tank Rupture At Cortlandt Town Center

CORTLANDT, NY — Mohegan volunteer firefighters spent hours at the Cortlandt Town Center Saturday morning, where a ruptured underground propane tank created a dangerous situation.

Mohegan Fire Department Chief George Keesler said the report came in at about 8:30 a.m. from Paraco Gas Co. which was filling an underground propane tank. The company handled the leak itself, he said, pumping most of the propane out and then doing a controlled burn of the last 30-40 gallons.

Teams of firefighters were stationed with meters in the M&T bank building, outside it, in the sewers and storm drains, and in the new buildings behind and below the mall, to make sure no gas seeped in.

"Propane is heavier than air, so it collects in low spots," Keesler said. "An ignition source would have gotten all the way back to the tank."

New York State Police blocked off the area to keep traffic away.

About 20 volunteers responded to the incident, Keesler said. The fire department was back from the scene by about 11 a.m.

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