11:00AM EST: (UPDATE BELOW) A fire on a tanker-truck hauling muriatic acid, has forced the closure of the NY Route 17, and evacuations of homes – and even Yeshivos in the area.

Rabbi Bernard Freilich,Special Assistant to the Superintendent of the NYSP  tells YWN that the tanker caught fire on the west-bound Route 17 near Exit 127, causing a fire, and a large chemical spill on the highway.

Both directions of the highway have been shut down, and will remain closed for at least 5 hours.

Numerous Hazmat units from multiple fire departments, have been requested to the scene, and the NYSP and other rescue personnel are evacuating residents in the area.

Additionally, the Nitra Yeshiva in Chester NY has been evacuated.

There is no word on any injuries resulting from the chemical spill.

UPDATE 5:00PM EST: The cleanup has been completed, and all lanes have been reopened on the highway.

(Yehuda Drudgestein – / YWN-112 / YWN Sullivan County News Desk)