Cleanup From Oil Tanker Collision, Fire; 4 People Hurt

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — An oil tanker crashed into a Lay-Z-Boy furniture store in Rockville Centre early Wednesday. One witness said the truck exploded and slid down Sunrise Highway.

Julie Grilli, a spokesperson for the police department, said the driver suffered minor injuries and was released from an area hospital.

The explosion ignited fuel on the street and in sewers. Flames were seen like a geyser from several manhole covers.

No other buildings were damaged.

The tanker, heading east on Sunrise Highway, overturned at 1:11 a.m. After colliding with the store, causing a collapse, the truck came to rest on the other side of North Centre Avenue, Grilli said.

Nassau County police and state police assisted other rescue units from the area. More than 25 surrounding fire departments helped handle the emergency.

Grilli said three firefighters suffered minor injuries; two of them were transported to a hospital.

Sunrise Highway, Merrick Road, North Centre Avenue and North Village Avenue were expected to remain closed until at least 6 p.m., the village posted on its website.

Grilli is thankful that no one was seriously hurt and the next phase is a meticulous cleanup.

Some electricity was restored to the area as part of the cleanup. The village did not have a timetable for those still without power.

The Department of Environmental Conservation and Coast Guard have been addressing concerns from the incident on the land and on the water.

All fire hydrants were opened to handle blazes. Although that may cause discolored water, the village said it is safe to drink the water.

(Video from Jason Belsky)