Crime & Safety

Utility Pole Fire Closes Smithtown Library's Main Branch

LIPA says repairs are expected to be completed late Tuesday night.

Have a must-read book you want to grab from the library, you might have to wait. 

The Smithtown Library has temporarily closed its Main Branch, located at 1 N. Country Road in Smithtown, due to a power outage. Patrons and staff were evacuated from the building at roughly 11 a.m. 

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, a power outage at the Smithtown Main Building has forced us to close the building temporarily.  Please check back for updates," reads the library's website.
Suffolk County Police said they received a call at 11:05 a.m. reporting a a utility pole up in flames in front of the Smithtown Library's Main Branch. The utility pole was fully engulfed, according to police. 

Elizabeth Flagler, a spokeswoman for Long Island Power Authority, said  equipment failure causing a downed wire and a fire to the utility pole. 

Police closed a portion of Smithtown's East Main Street near the intersection of Route 111 for roughly 25 minutes Tuesday morning, from 11:30 p.m. to just before noon. 

LIPA crews are currently on the scene repairing the damage, will replace the utility pole and rehang the wires. These repairs are expected to be completed late on Tuesday, according to Flagler.  

Robert Lusak, director of the Smithtown Special Library District, could not be immediately reached as he is handling the power outage at the Smithtown building. 

Library patrons are asked to check the library's websitefrequently as updated information will be posted as soon as it is available. 

Follow Smithtown Patch for more information and updates on this breaking news.  


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