A 75-year-old truck driver from Union City suffered injuries to his face when his tractor-trailer flipped on its side near the Jersey City/Bayonne boarder along Route 440, closing lanes in both directions on July 8.
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“Fire rescue units discovered a flipped tractor-trailer, at the loop, with the driver entrapped in the cab.” – Fire Chief Greg Rogers
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Bayonne Fire Chief Greg Rogers said units responded to Route 440 to a location near the New Jersey Turnpike extension bridge on the report that a 40-foot tractor-trailer had overturned in the southbound lanes.

“Upon arrival, fire rescue units discovered a flipped tractor-trailer, at the loop, with the driver entrapped in the cab,” Rogers said. “Bayonne Fire Department and Jersey City Fire Department crews worked together in a joint effort to extricate the victim, who was semiconscious and suffering from multiple lacerations, and a leg pinned beneath the seat.”

Firefighters worked for about 30 minutes to free the victim using extrication equipment to remove the top of the tractor cab, pry back the steering column, and to cut the seat out that pinned the driver’s leg. The victim was transported by EMS to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment. The man had a broken ankle and injuries to his face.

Approximately 20 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the tractor fuel tanks, and were contained by Fire Department crews. The trailer reportedly contained lumber. The Fire Department cleared the scene just before noon, after a hired tow company was able to right the overturned vehicle. The road remained closed until the spilled diesel fluid and debris was removed.

The Police Department, EMS, Department of Transportation, and Department of Environmental Protection were also at the scene.

Toxic concern

Bayonne firefighters responded to the Vertellus/CasChem Plant, at 40 Avenue A, on July 7 due to a report of a warehouse fire. Upon arrival, fire units were confronted with a 30-by-125-foot warehouse, and flames showed on the inside and pushed through the roof. The two-alarm fire was spotted by a citizen passing on his bike, who called it in.
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The two-alarm fire was spotted by a citizen passing on his bike
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“Fire crews set up an elevated platform truck and large diameter hose lines and extinguished the fire in about one-hour. Approximately 30 firefighters fought the blaze,” Rogers said. “It was reported that the storage warehouse contained approximately 80 55-gallon drums of castor oil product, totes containing castor oil, 500 to 800 gallons of sulfuric acid, a 55-gallon drum of isopropyl alcohol, and boxed discarded castor oil soiled rags.”

Roger said the warehouse suffered fire and smoke damage to the interior and the roof, and stocked barrels and totes were visibly damaged and collapsed. Barrels were reportedly stacked four high toward the rear of the warehouse, with fire damage visible to the top two tiers, and released product covered the warehouse floor. Three firefighters got oil on their protective gear, and a number of lengths of firehose were also coated.

Vertellus/CasChem hired a spill cleanup company (Ken’s Marine on 22nd Street in Bayonne), which was quickly at the scene and worked to remediate the product release in the warehouse using a pump truck and cleanup crew, Rogers said.

Hudson Regional Health Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection were notified and responded to the scene. The Police Department, EMS, and the Fire Canteen were also at the scene.

Castor Oil derivatives are used in personal care products like deodorant, lipstick, and creams, and in coatings such as paint. There were no reported injuries, and the fire is currently under investigation.

Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.