Severe Propane Leak Causes Evacuations, Road Closure In East Windsor

EAST WINDSOR, CT — A 2-vehicle collision involving a propane tanker Tuesday morning caused a substantial leak which necessitated evacuation of several nearby homes and businesses, and closed a segment of busy Route 5 for more than seven hours.

Around 9:16 a.m., first responders were dispatched to the crash in the area of 200 South Main Street, near a string of used auto dealerships. Firefighters quickly determined propane was leaking from the tanker, and discovered a breach in the tank which rendered the emergency shutoff valves useless, according to Warehouse Point fire officials.

Seven businesses and three homes were ordered to be evacuated, and Eversource Energy arrived to shut off power in the area. Fire officials and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) personnel determined "the safest course of action was to let the propane tanker off gas until it was empty."

Once the tanker was empty, recovery of both vehicles took place, which took several hours and required Route 5 to be closed between Stoughton and Abbe roads. The roadway was fully re-opened around 5 p.m., according to fire officials.