Homer Fire & Cortland Hazmat Respond to Large Liquid Propane Leak on East Homer-Baltimore Road

Around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Cortland County 9-1-1 dispatched the Homer Fire Department to 5533 East Homer-Baltimore Road for a reported propane tank gas leak.

County 9-1-1 reported that a 1,000-gallon home propane tank had slid down a hill and into a small ravine, causing a significant leak.

Homer Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief Jason Lawrence told X101 News the tank contained about 750 gallons of liquid propane at the time and had landed upside down. Lawrence said the leak created a visible haze, prompting a request for assistance from the City of Cortland Hazmat team.

East Homer-Baltimore Road was shut down as crews worked at the scene.

Homer Fire also requested a Reverse 9-1-1 notification to alert nearby residents about the propane leak.

Cortland Hazmat crews were able to secure the tank and carefully right it, which stopped the liquid propane from leaking. Crews then shut off the valve, ending the leak.

Lawrence said no injuries were reported.

Unstable ground from recent heavy rainfall may have caused the tank to roll down the hill, Lawrence told X101 News.

Both Homer Fire and Cortland Hazmat cleared the scene around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday. East Homer-Baltimore Road reopened shortly afterward.

Officials are reminding residents with propane tanks at their homes or businesses to inspect the ground around their tanks to ensure it remains stable.