Gas Truck Fire Closes Route 18 South, Homes Temporarily Evacuated

Update as of 12:30 p.m.: Works are on the scene and cleaning up the gas. The roadway is expected to be open by 2 p.m.

Update as of 10:30 a.m.: The tanker has been moved to a closed exit ramp at Hartman Lane, where the DOT and Hazmat are working to secure the scene and remove the gas.

Update as of 10:15 a.m.: Police and fire are on the scene as the Department of Transportation removes gas from the tanker.

A gas tanker caught fire at 5 a.m. in Morganville on Rt. 18 Monday morning, causing police and fire to shut down the highway from both directions.

Homes backing up to Rt. 18 in The Enclosure development were temporarily evacuated, as firefighters attempted to cool down the truck after its tires caught fire.

"It was a very dangerous situation for a while," Police Captain Steve Mennona said.

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As of 8 a.m., residents were allowed back in their homes, and the northbound section of Rt. 18 was opened.

Police and fire still have Rt. 18 south closed between the Rt. 9 ramp and the Rt. 520 ramp, while they continue to keep the tank cool and work with the gas removal company. Mennona said the road would be closed for at least another hour, if not more.

One firefighter is being treated for heat exhaustion, according to Mennona. The firefighter was not transported to the hospital, as of 10:15 a.m.

The Rt. 18 closure is causing heavy traffic delays on Rt. 9 from Old Bridge to Manalapan.

This is an ongoing story, Patch will update when more information becomes available.