Victim Identified In Mahwah Oil Tanker Fire

MAHWAH, NJ — An overturned oil tanker caused a massive fire on Saturday in Mahwah, bringing out first responders in hazmat suits and even forest fire units, local fire officials said.

New Jersey State Police have identified Maher Daoudquneis, 59, of Paterson as the driver. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Mahwah Fire Company 1, along with companies, 2, 3, 4, 5 and EMS officials and mutual aid responded to the scene on I-287 near exit 66 on Saturday morning on reports of an overturned fuel tanker.

The oil tanker was "fully engulfed in fire and leaking fuel" by the time first responders arrived, the department said.

"Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, while HAZMAT units mitigated [the] potential environmental impact, and forest fire units worked to extinguish fires in the woods behind the tanker," according to the department.

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