Cedarhurst roads reopen after fuel spill
Cleanup crews and firefighters at the scene of a fuel spill caused when a tanker truck overturned early Wednesday in Cedarhurst. (Jan. 9, 2013) Credit: Howard Schnapp
More than 24 hours after a fuel tanker accident closed several major roads in Cedarhurst, police said a massive cleanup effort was completed Thursday -- and the roads reopened.
The accident, which saw a tanker truck overturn and spill thousands of gallons of fuel onto local streets, occurred at 4:54 a.m. Wednesday on Rockaway Turnpike near Burnside Avenue and closed Rockaway Turnpike, Burnside and Nassau Expressway until about 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Nassau County police said. Police said roads in a two-block radius had been closed for cleanup. No one was injured in the accident and residents were not evacuated.
Fire officials said volunteers from Inwood and several other Five Towns fire departments were on the scene along with hazmat crews for the cleanup.
Early reports indicated as many as 8,000 gallons spilled onto the streets, police said, and Inwood Fire Chief Rich Magliaro said emergency responders worked to keep at least 4,000 gallons of the gasoline from entering storm drains.
Police said there was no criminality involved in the accident -- and no charges were filed.
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Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
