Mary Malloy
"The Lynbrook Fire Department responded to a reported gas leak...residents were evacuated from the surrounding houses and the apartment complex across the street.," Grogan said.
According to Long Island American Water External Affairs Manager Greg Healy, the leak was detected by the company's computerized SCADA system, which picks up how fast water is being used. "If water is seeping through at a faster rate than normal, we are alerted."
Another hole was dug across from the concaved concrete by KeySpan to shut off the gas valve, said Grogan, and the fire department checked the storefronts, basements and surrounding houses with gas meters. "None was detected," said Grogan. The department was led by Second Deputy Chief Ray Burke, and was assisted by additional manpower from the East Rockaway and Lakeview Fire Departments. There were no injuries and the department was released after almost four hours.
Long Island American Water said that it was a 12-inch water main break, and that no customers lost service. "The water may have been leaking for a while, and, in this case, we think that the concrete may have been weak," said Healy. The water company sent a crew immediately, he said, and they were finished by 2 a.m. on Friday morning. The road was restored by 5 p.m.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
