Local News
1300 Students Evacuated Due to Gas Leak in Queens, New York
Queens, New York – A gas leak incident occurred in Queens on Thursday, resulting in the evacuation of a school and surrounding properties.
According to firefighters, National Grid confirmed that the gas leak has been fully contained, and all FDNY operations have concluded. All units have been cleared to leave the scene.
The school has been completely evacuated, and all children are safely distanced from the building.
Firefighters and National Grid personnel are on-site to assess the situation and ensure the area is safe.
Earlier reports indicated that there were no gas readings detected in the school or surrounding buildings. Firefighters and National Grid were on the scene evaluating the gas leak while children sheltered in place at the school.
Audio clips from the incident are available.
If you are in the area or have additional information, please share it by going live from a safe distance or leaving a comment to help keep your community informed.
Initial reports indicated that firefighters were responding to a ruptured high-pressure gas main. However, the incident was later corrected to a report of a gas main being struck.
There were also reports of a truck fire in the area.
A 911 caller reported an unconfirmed incident at 88-40 179th Street.
Please stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.