Driver killed in truck explosion on Route 3 in Clifton, N.J.

CLIFTON, N.J. -- Route 3 remains closed in Clifton, New Jersey, after a truck apparently carrying hazardous materials crashed into a wall and exploded on Monday morning, killing the driver and melting the siding off homes on the other side.

Officials said the truck was rear-ended by a bus at around 9 a.m. on the eastbound side of the highway before it careened through the wall near the Valley Road exit and blew up.

Witnesses saw "multiple fireballs"

A driver captured video of the moment the truck exploded as it crashed through the wall and into backyards on Normandy Road on the other side.

"There were actually multiple fireballs. It wasn't just one big one. The last big one, we were told to evacuate," said Clifton resident Anup Patel.

"I went outside in my backyard, and there was a big fire. Big, big, big fire. I was so scared. So I took my kids and my mother-in-law and brought them to my brother's house," said Jignasha Rana.

Drivers were diverted off the highway in both directions as crews rushed to put out the flames. Traffic was backed up to the Garden State Parkway.

Hazmat concerns

The truck appeared to be transporting hazardous chemicals, according to the Clifton Fire Department.

"The truck had placards on it, from best that we could determine, that said it was carrying corrosive and explosive chemicals," said Acting Fire Chief Daniel Collins.

Officials said they were still trying to figure out what chemicals were on board.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said there were no elevated levels of concern in the air, but some "fuel and other liquids" got into a storm drain near the crash site.

The impact was still being investigated.

Truck driver killed

The body of the truck driver, a 55-year-old man from Linden, was discovered after the fire was put out, officials said.

"I heard an explosion, then another explosion when I came through the door. They told me to just get out, they told me a truck ran into the wall," said neighbor T.J. Cherry.

The truck's charred remnants were close to the swimming pool in his backyard.

"I had a contractor upstairs doing some work and he came down and started knocking on the door. I thought it was him making all the noise. He says no, fire in the back. Grabbed the dog and out the door I went. The other explosion happened, almost pushed me down the stairs," Cherry said.

Others felt fortunate no one else was injured.

"It if just happened right down the block, they don't even have as much backyard as these guys do," said Suvi Patel.

Brenntag, the company that operates the truck, said it is committed to a full investigation.