Rockville Centre officials contain hazardous material spill

At 7:30 p.m. on July 10, the Rockville Centre Fire Department responded to the scene of a reported spill. A 55-gallon metal drum was discovered on Maine Avenue west of Peninsula Blvd. The drum, in Rockville Centre close to its boundary with Lakeview, was unmarked and leaking methanol, a wood softener that is also used in fuel.

  Rockville Centre fire and police department personnel were joined at the scene by units from the Lakeview Fire Department, the Office of the Nassau County Fire Marshal, Nassau County police and the Town of Hempstead Department of Public Works.

  Nassau County Fire Marshals righted the drum. Rockville Centre firefighters, above, are seen spreading absorbent material to contain the spill. There was concern that the chemical could flow into the two bodies of water on either side of the road.

The illegal dumping is under investigation by Rockville Centre police.