Update: Local Emergency Services Departments Are Heading Home

With a major gas leak sealed in Shirley and air quality tests showing no negative effects, East End fire police, ambulance companies and other emergency personnel are heading home. Also going home are more than 900 residents who were evacuated earlier today.

According to a press release from County Executive Steve Levy's office, "experts from a New Jersey remediation company carried out a plan leading to the closure of a leaking valve on an underground, 30,000-gallon gas tank following the evacuation of houses in the area."

The leak was sealed by 3:30 p.m.

With the leak repaired, air quality tests of areas residences were performed. The tests were a key step that led to the safe return of residents to their homes.

The leak was discovered at around 1:15 a.m. Saturday at the Kohl's shopping center in Shirley by the driver of a propane delivery truck, according to Levy's office.

Hundreds of homes within one square mile of the leak were evacuated, Levy's office stated in a press release. The evacuation was coordinated by the town of Brookhaven, the Mastic Fire Department and the fifth, sixth and seventh Suffolk County Police precincts.

As of Saturday morning, approximately 200 residents were sheltered at William Floyd High School. By the afternoon, additional streets were being evacuated.

East End fire officials responded to aid in the effort and remained on the scene until around 8:45 p.m. when the area surrounding the leak was deemed safe.

With reporting by Erica Jackson and Taylor K. Vecsey.