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1 Dead In Fiery Crash That Snarled Traffic On Route 78 In Union

UNION, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A fiery crash on Route 78 in Union, New Jersey left one person dead and caused major traffic delays in the area Saturday.

State Police Sergeant Gregory Williams said two tractor-trailers and an Audi were involved in the crash at around 1 p.m.

One of the tractor trailers caught on fire, sending a plume of smoke that was visible for miles.

More: Traffic & Transit

A heavy duty fire truck was brought in from Newark Liberty International Airport to help fight the fire because of the fuel being carried in the tractor-trailer, 1010 WINS reported.

Manny heard the blast and ran out of his house.

1 Dead In Fiery Crash That Snarled Traffic On Route 78 In Union

"I went out and there and I see smoke all coming through the wall on 78," he told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten.

Christina Devlin's home sits near I-78 West and she heard it all.

"A loud boom, I actually thought a tree fell on my house," she told WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports.

1 Dead In Fiery Crash That Snarled Traffic On Route 78 In Union

"I could feel the heat from where you're standing right now on my front step, I could feel the heat," she said.

The highway was shut down in both directions approaching the intersection with the Garden State Parkway, has since reopened.

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