A raging brush fire erupted in Secaucus, New Jersey, on Thursday afternoon, spewing thick black smoke into the air visible for miles and halting traffic ahead of the evening rush.
It wasn't clear what sparked the fire, which broke out between the train tracks and I-95, near the Eastern Spur that leads to the Lincoln Tunnel. Traffic appeared to be backed up all the way to Newark by 3 p.m. The fire was located in the marsh area between exits 15X and 16E on the Turnpike.
Flames could be seen coming close to the edge of the highway as traffic moved through on the far left northbound lane.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Secaucus police said the fire had been extinguished, about two hours after it started.
New Jersey Forest Fire Service said it assisted the Secaucus Fire Department on the fire.
No injuries were immediately reported. Drivers in the area were asked to be cautious of smoke and watch for firefighters and fire trucks in the area.
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The Secaucus Fire Department had been overseeing the firefight. Officials said it began shortly before 3 p.m.
Amtrak later said that the fire was at least part of the reason it had to temporarily suspend service between Philadelphia and New Haven. It also pinned the blame for the halt in service on a "malfunctioning service breaker resulting in a loss of power" between Newark and New York City.
