Propane explosion rocks E.M. neighborhood

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A normally quiet East Meadow neighborhood was shaken Thursday evening when a propane tank exploded during a house fire at 2413 7th St.

Before the explosion, volunteers with the East Meadow Fire Department, followed by members of the Nassau County Police Department and other emergency responders, arrived at the home around 8:30 p.m.

The blaze spread to an adjacent house, the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed. Both houses sustained damage. One person was taken to Nassau University Medical Center with a minor hand burn.

Neighbor Cathy Iacopelli took to a community Facebook group to offer praise for the members of the East Meadow Fire Department, EMT squad and NCPD who responded.

“They did an amazing job putting out the fire and keeping the scene under control and the people who came to watch the drama safe,” Iacopelli said. “Just before the biggest explosion, the police were running down the street chasing people back into their homes and away from the house.”

Iacopelli said she was outside watching the scene unfold until she was told to go inside, and less than a minute later, the explosion caused knick-knacks to fall off her shelves.

“These men and women all risked their lives, having no idea what might happen, and they deserve our deepest gratitude,” she said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the fire marshal’s office.

This is a developing story.