6 evacuated after massive Circleville fire sparks propane explosion concerns
Officials say concerns about nearby propane tanks prompted an 800-foot evacuation zone and shut down Route 17 for about 90 minutes.
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A massive fire at a commercial property in Circleville is under control after nearby propane tanks raised concerns about a possible explosion and forced six people to evacuate Tuesday.
The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. inside a garage at 307 Bloomingburg Road in the Town of Wallkill.
Blue Flame Propane and New York Bus Sales, a school and commercial bus company, both operate at the property.
The Circleville fire chief says three to four people were inside the affected building when the fire started, but everyone made it out safely. Six people in all were evacuated from the property and surrounding area within an 800-foot radius as a precaution.
Fire officials say two 1,000-gallon propane tanks and multiple smaller tanks were near the fire, prompting concerns about a possible explosion.
“Certainly we have some property damage here, but this is a great example of mutual aid coming together,” Town of Wallkill Supervisor Frank DenDanto said.
DenDanto said the propane at the property created substantial concern about an explosion and the potential impact on nearby Route 17.
“State police got involved. DOT got involved to shut down the road,” DenDanto said.
Route 17 was closed for about 90 minutes as numerous fire departments responded, creating significant traffic backups.
Cole Meberg, of Pine Bush, encountered the traffic while returning from Ellenville.
“We were playing golf in Ellenville and we were coming back and there’s traffic all the way from Lake Wurtsboro,” Meberg said.
Heavy smoke from the fire could be seen from Route 17 and drew onlookers to the area.
“I’ve never seen this much, like, fire rescues — all of that,” Middletown resident Xavier Nelson said after stopping near the scene.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was brought under control Tuesday afternoon.
Officials have not yet said which business the fire started in or whether one or both businesses were damaged.
The cause of the fire is also not yet known.
