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A series of explosions were heard when the rig rolled and burst into flames on a notorious stretch of the southbound highway near Route 17 and the New York State Thruway at 6:47 a.m., NJSP Sgt. Alejandro Goez said.
Firefighters used foam to douse the blaze while also extinguishing flames that extended into the woods along the mountain. Thick, black smoke could be seen for miles.
The body of Maher Daoudquneis wound up about 20 feet from the rig, responders said.
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A firefighter injury was reported, but it was believed to be minor.
Routes 17 and 287 were closed for about two hours before reopening with delays shortly before 9 a.m.
Among the mutual aid responders were firefighters from Clifton, Garfield, Ramsey, Teaneck, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Hillburn, Hillcrest, Sloatsburg, Spring Valley, Tallman, Stony Point, Suffern and Fort Montgomery, as well as hazardous materials units from Bergen and Rockland counties, along with Mahwah and state police.
New Jersey State Police are investigating.
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ALSO SEE: A stretch of northbound Route 17 in Upper Saddle River was temporarily closed after an SUV carrying a family of four split a utility pole, downing wires alongside the highway and sending a juvenile passenger to the hospital before dawn Saturday. READ MORE....
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