Tanker flips, slams into building and bursts into flames in Rockville Centre; 3 firefighters hurt

 

Officials say the tanker crashed into a liquor store and then into a former La-Z-Boy furniture store around 1:15 a.m. at North Centre Avenue and Sunrise Highway.

Sources say the gasoline tanker was owned by Rocket Express of Bay Shore and was traveling eastbound.

Officers tell News 12 the driver of the tanker ran out and said another driver cut him off before he collapsed.

Three firefighters were hurt during the fire but were not seriously injured, the Village of Rockville Centre confirms. The driver of the tanker also suffered minor injuries.

"I've seen fires and I've seen them go out quick, but I've never seen a building collapse like that,” said Brett Agostini, of Rockville Centre.

Agostini was on his way home from work when he saw the former La-Z-Boy furniture store erupt in flames.

“It was a heavy, high volume of fire. Again, 9,200 gallons spilling. It was in the storm drains, causing explosions underground. It was quite a scene they had to handle when they first got here,” said Nassau County Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro.

First responders say that gasoline traveled a quarter of a mile into the storm drains and caused manhole covers to explode early Wednesday.

Officials say that was a result of the spill, which has been contained.

Nassau County fire marshals say the gasoline made its way down into the Mill River. Cleanup crews are placing booms, an oil absorbent, to soak up the gasoline on the water's surface.

The U.S. Coast Guard was brought in to map the migration of the gasoline and any damage.

The county says there is no threat to the environment or residents.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is overseeing the environmental cleanup.

As a precaution, a large area in the heart of Rockville Centre has been closed down and will remain closed until at least Wednesday evening.

Officials say before they can open the stretch of Sunrise Highway again, crews must excavate the building area to make sure all hot spots are out. Then the state Department of Transportation will come in and do their own safety assessment before any green light can be given.