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An evacuation order in Petersburgh has been lifted following a propane leak at the Taconic Plastics Limited plant. Residents within a half-mile radius of the plant were evacuated on Wednesday (January 7) as a safety precaution. The leak originated from a transfer pipe that froze due to low temperatures, according to the Town Supervisor.
First responders, including the Petersburgh Fire Department, were on the scene to manage the situation. They worked to offload propane from two 30,000-gallon tanks and used larger hoses to expedite the removal process. The evacuation order was lifted around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, allowing residents to return to their homes.
Jay Wilson, Rensselaer County Director of Public Safety, expressed the importance of resolving the issue swiftly to resume operations at Taconic Plastics, a key local employer. "We're just hoping it's just a bad pipe or something just broke through," Wilson said. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Taconic Plastics is known for producing tapes, belts, and silicone-coated fabrics. The company is expected to resume operations soon after ensuring the area is safe.