Fatal Tanker Fire Will Impact Morning Commute For County Residents

As rush hour gets under way, Union County residents who travel along Routes 1 & 9 in Elizabeth on their way to work should expect delays and road closures due to a fatal tanker fire that erupted following an accident early this morning.

According to reports, a car collided with a tanker carrying more than 7,000 gallons of fuel near the Bayway Circle in Elizabeth, causing a massive fire. The driver of the car was killed and several homes in the area were evacuated as a precuationary measure following the explosion. The driver of the tanker truck was not seriously injured, according to initial reports.

The accident occured at about 1:40 a.m. and escalated to a three-alarm fire as firefighters from Elizabeth, Newark and Linden worked to control the blaze. The Union County Hazmat Team also responded to deal with the large fuel spill that resulted from the crash. As of 7 a.m., firefighters continued to lay a blanket of foam to supress any fumes that could ignite and cause another fire to erupt.

A span of Routes 1 & 9 remains shutdown from the Route 278 split in Linden to Jersey Street in Elizabeth. Routes 27 and the New Jersey Turnpike both run parallel to the roadway and can be considered as alternate routes for anyone traveling through that area.