A tractor-trailer exploded in a fiery mess along Route 3, killing its driver and closing the New Jersey highway while an extensive cleanup effort got underway.
The fire occurred just after 9 a.m. Monday on Route 3 eastbound between Valley Road and Grove Street. When police officers responded to the scene, they witnessed additional explosions. Cellphone video captured the jaw-dropping blast on the roadway, with a firefighter appearing to come within just feet of a flaming barrel that was sent flying into the air.
At least three nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, according Clifton emergency management officials.
The commercial truck was hit by a bus and slammed into the retaining wall and exploded, according to the fire department on the scene. The truck appeared to cause significant damage to the sound wall on the side of the highway and ended up with debris to the back of a house on Normandy Road.
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County prosecutors reported that a 55-year-old man from Linden who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash had died. They added that the cause of the crash had not yet been determined. Neighbors believed more lives could have been lost had it not been for the location of the crash.
Route 3 was closed in both directions through Clifton for hours throughout the day. The westbound lanes reopened just around 5:30 p.m., while at least three eastbound lanes and the Valley Road ramp were expected to be closed until 5 p.m. for emergency repairs, officials said.
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The state's Department of Transportation said one of the eastbound lanes was set to reopen later Monday night after the investigation and cleanup were completed. Motorists were asked to avoid the area.
The damaged portions of the road will be milled and paved, with the guiderail set to be repaired and fencing installed. A permanent replacement for the damaged soundwall would be done at a later date, the DOT said.
Officials responded by the afternoon to assess environmental impacts. The NJDEP confirmed some fuel "and other liquids" had reached a nearby storm drain, but said there were no concerns about any possible air contaminants.
There's been no official word yet on what was in the tractor-trailer, though fire officials said the truck had placards on it that stated it was carrying an explosive chemical.
