Hazmat Unit Responds to I-78 Tanker Accident Near Union

State police reported a major morning rush hour delays along I-78 today due to an overturned tanker truck. All eastbound lanes approaching Exit 50 near Vaux Hall Road in Union were closed. Hazmat units responded to the accident, as well as the Summit and Millburn fire departments. 

Morning traffic was diverted to I-78 express lanes according to a state police bulletin that advised commuters to avoid I-78 eastbound altogether.

Traffic delays near exit 45 near Glenside Ave. in Springfield were also reported.

Around 6:30 a.m., a radio call went out for Springfield emergency crews about an overturned truck on 78. By 7 a.m. a "major hazmat" situation was called for Vauxhall Road and I-78. A staging area was set up for emergency response and the Summit Fire Department was initially called in. According to Summit officials, Union Township officials took over since the call was outside of Summit's jurisdiction.

Later, just after 7:20 a.m. reports surfaced of an accident involving a hazmat unit in route to the scene. The nature of the accident at Morris Avenue and North Avenue in Union is not clear at this time.

Despite contradicting news reports, state police said there were no injuries in the incident.