Natural gas leak probed at Brookhaven National Lab

An investigation is under way into a natural gas leak Monday morning at Brookhaven National Laboratory, authorities said.

The leak at a compressed natural gas refueling station happened about 8 a.m. and emergency personnel quickly sealed it off, according to a news release from the Upton lab, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Lab employees in several buildings were "sheltered in place until the leak was controlled," officials said.

The leak did not present a risk to lab employees or the public, and staff members have returned to normal operations, officials said.

The response team and industrial health personnel are investigating to determine the cause of the leak, according to the news release. Access to the immediate area has been restricted.

County, local and Department of Energy authorities were notified, the release said, and the federal agency also will conduct a full investigation.

A lab spokesman said the refueling station is used for a fleet of about 65 natural gas-fueled vehicles, mostly pickup trucks and cargo vans that are driven by on-site maintenance personnel.