Massive jams stretched beyond eyesight in each direction as police detoured traffic at De Boer Drive in Glen Rock, where the wires fell around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, and Rea Avenue in Hawthorne.
NJ Transit also temporarily stopped trains that were running nearby, responders said.
Firefighters doused the blazes.
Responders included police and firefighters from Glen Rock, Fair Lawn and Hawthorne as well as Glen Rock EMS, Ridgewood Emergency Services, NJDOT and a crew from PSE&G.
Boyd A. Loving took the photos and contributed to this report.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Paterson and receive free news updates.