Cops: Mechanic working on gas tank sparks fire in Islandia

A mechanic was working on the fuel tank of a vehicle when it caught fire early Wednesday, sparking a blaze that burned down the home building of a BP gas station in Islandia, Suffolk County police said. No injuries were reported.

The fire at the gas station, located at 1964 Veterans Memorial Highway, was reported in a 911 call at 8:29 a.m., police said.

Suffolk fire officials said firefighters from Central Islip and six other departments battled the ensuing blaze, which they said caused a partial collapse of the building.

Firefighters were able to keep that fire from spreading to the fuel storage tanks and station pumps. Officials said it took until 10:40 a.m. for the fire to be brought under control.

Photos from the scene show the charred, badly damaged structure. Police said Arson Section detectives are investigating.

The 511 NY website reported that eastbound Veterans Highway had been closed between Sycamore Lane and East Suffolk Avenue and that all lanes of County Road 100, East Suffolk Avenue, also were closed for emergency vehicle access.

Police said the roads were reopened at about 10:50 a.m.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”