One confirmed dead in Route 78 tanker truck crash, explosion

BEYOND BERGEN (UPDATE): State Police confirmed one fatality after a tanker truck filled with 5,000 gallons of fuel overturned and exploded during a crash on Route 78 in Union Township this afternoon.

Jerry DeMarco

12/06/2014 6:53 p.m.

A mulch tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle were involved in the explosive crash, which hurled black smoke high into the sky around 1 p.m.

The Port Authority sent a foam truck from Newark Airport, joining several other emergency responding agencies.

The fire was brought under control within 40 minutes.

TOP PHOTO: Courtesy Joe DeGioia

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