Liberty Island reopens after propane tank fire

Source
Xinhuanet
Editor
Huang Panyue
Time
2018-08-28 08:21:11

NEW YORK, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Liberty Island in New York City was reopened to the public after a propane tank fire prompted the evacuation of over 3,000 tourists on Monday.

An apparent construction mishap sparked a fire in propane tanks on the Liberty Island, according to the National Parks Service.

The fire broke out shortly before noon on Monday in a construction area on the north side of the island, near the base of the Statue of Liberty, according to local media.

All 3,400 people on the Liberty Island were removed to the nearby Ellis Island by ferries after the accident, according the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

One construction worker sustained a minor injury, said FDNY. No other injuries were reported.

Dozens of firefighters were sent to help extinguish the fire. The fire authority said the flames were extinguished around 12:45 p.m., but crews continued to hose the propane tanks to cool them until the situation was declared under control around 1:30 p.m.

The Statue of Liberty was reopened mid-afternoon and operations to and from Liberty Island resumed, the National Parks Service tweeted.

Further investigation in the cause of the fire is underway.

 

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