The rig ignited on the southbound highway in Ramsey just before the Franklin Turnpike exit and across from the Shannon Rose restaurant, sending a column of black smoke skyward that could be seen for miles.
Police temporarily closed both sides of the highway as members of the Ramsey Fire Department and Rescue Squad doused the late afternoon blaze with help from their Mahwah colleagues.
They fortunately kept the flames from reaching golf cart batteries being hauled in the trailer.
The driver got out OK.
Mahwah firefighters assisted their Ramsey colleagues. An Allendale engine stood by at Ramsey fire headquarters for coverage.
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