Major fire near propane facility shuts down parts of Route 17 in Orange County
Portions of Route 17 are reportedly being shut down as a precaution while numerous fire departments battle the fire near propane storage.
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A major fire is sending heavy smoke over Route 17 in the Circleville area of the Town of Wallkill, causing significant traffic delays near Exit 118 at Fair Oaks.
The fire is near 307 Bloomingburg Rd., a commercial property associated with both New York Bus Sales and Blue Flame Propane.
Orange County Emergency Management says propane is in close proximity to the fire, raising concern about the potential for the situation to become more serious.
“Because of the fact that there is propane in close proximity, obviously it has the potential of being serious,” an OEM representative told News 12. “That’s why trying to get it under control is the priority right now.”
Officials are shutting down portions of Route 17 near the fire to keep motorists and others away from the area as a precaution.
A large mutual-aid response is underway, with numerous volunteer fire departments called to the scene.
News 12 crews heading west on Route 17 could see heavy smoke from the area of Exit 118, where traffic was also heavily backed up.
It was not immediately clear which building or business was burning, whether any propane tanks were directly involved or whether anyone was injured.
This is a developing story.
