A witness at the scene reported the male driver managed to pull off to the shoulder near Exit 4, disconnect the trailer and escape safely.
A truck driver Sunday afternoon escaped serious injury after his rig caught fire in the westbound lane of Interstate 78 in Greenwich Township.
The incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. along I-78 westbound near the Exit 4 exit. A witness at the scene said the male driver managed to pull off to the shoulder, disconnect the trailer and escape safely.
New Jersey State Police in Perryville said no other injuries were reported. Firefighters continue to extinguish the flames; a dark plume of smoke can be seen billowing down I-78 near Exit 4.
Police have shut down one lane, as well as the acceleration lane onto the Exit 4 ramp. Traffic is backed up for more than a mile along I-78 west and there's rubbernecking slowing down traffic in the eastbound lanes, police said.
New Jersey State Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.