Just after 10pm Center Moriches Firefighters were requested to assist the Mastic Fire Department at the scene of a gas leak at the Fairfield apartment complex 1700 Montauk Highway in Mastic.

Mastic firefighters responded to a 911 call at 9:38 pm reporting a strong smell of gas outside complex. Emergency units arrived on scene and were confronted with a strong smell of propane. Firefighters immediately started to evacuate part of the complex while searching for the source of the leak.

Mastic firefighters found a large underground tank leaking propane gas into the air. Additional manpower and equipment was requested from the surrounding fire and ems agencies to help secure the area and assist with evacuations.

While the gas company worked to pump the remaining propane from the tank and secure the leak approximately 20 people who were evacuated from their homes were temporally sheltered at the Mastic Fire Department.

After 6 hours the leak was secured and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Center Moriches firefighters back in quarters just after 2am. The cause of the leak is under investigation.