CLIFTON, N.J. — Part of Route 3 remains closed in Clifton, New Jersey, after a truck apparently carrying hazardous materials crashed into a wall and exploded on Monday morning, killing the driver and melting the siding off homes on the other side.
The westbound side was reopened hours later, but CBS New York was told to expect to see crews working on the eastbound side into Tuesday morning as the investigation and cleanup continues.
Officials said the truck was rear-ended by a bus at around 9 a.m. on the eastbound side of the highway before it careened through the wall near the Valley Road exit and blew up.
Witnesses saw “multiple fireballs”
A driver captured video of the moment the truck exploded as it crashed through the wall and into backyards on Normandy Road on the other side.
“There were actually multiple fireballs. It wasn’t just one big one. The last big one, we were told to evacuate,” said Clifton resident Anup Patel.
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“I went outside in my backyard, and there was a big fire. Big, big, big fire. I was so scared. So I took my kids and my mother-in-law and brought them to my brother’s house,” said Jignasha Rana.
Drivers were diverted off the highway in both directions as crews rushed to put out the flames. Traffic was backed up to the Garden State Parkway.
It was a close call for Clifton firefighters rushing to the scene.
“Very fortunate. We try to maintain a distance, but you need to get close enough to identify the problem but stay far enough away to stay safe,” said Acting Fire Chief Daniel Collins.
Hazmat concerns
The company Brenntag, which owns the truck, said it was loaded with “flammable and corrosive, non-toxic materials.”
Officials said they were still trying to figure out what chemicals were on board. Brenntag said it is committed to a full investigation.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection sent crews to the site and said while some fuel and other liquids reached a nearby storm drain, there was no “off-site environmental impact.”
The impact was still being investigated.
Truck driver killed
The body of the truck driver, a 55-year-old man from Linden, was discovered after the fire was put out, officials said.
“I heard an explosion, then another explosion when I came through the door. They told me to just get out, they told me a truck ran into the wall,” said neighbor T.J. Cherry.
The truck’s charred remnants were close to the swimming pool in his backyard.
“I had a contractor upstairs doing some work and he came down and started knocking on the door. I thought it was him making all the noise. He says no, fire in the back. Grabbed the dog and out the door I went. The other explosion happened, almost pushed me down the stairs,” Cherry said.
Others felt fortunate no one else was injured.
“It if just happened right down the block, they don’t even have as much backyard as these guys do,” said Suvi Patel.
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