MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A tanker truck caught fire on Route 36 in Middletown Saturday night and the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department provided these photos from the scene.

Middletown Police received a 911 call at 6:20 p.m. Saturday regarding a fire in the area of ​​Henry Place and Rt. 36 South in the North Middletown section.

The first arriving units from the Middletown Township Police Department encountered a burning tanker truck that was already engulfed in flames in the engine compartment and cab area of ​​the truck. Middletown Fire Chief William Kane Jr. arrived along with firefighters from the East Keansburg Fire Company and immediately began extinguishing the fire, using two hand hoses. Another fire engine from the Port Monmouth Fire Company was called in to assist with water delivery.

Because there was still a significant amount of fuel in the tanker, the Monmouth County Hazardous Materials Unit was also requested to assist on-site.

Middletown Police, State Police and the New Jersey Department of Transportation closed Rt. 36 in both directions Saturday night while the fire was extinguished. The scene was cleared by 9:45 p.m.

Approximately 28 firefighters responded to the scene and no injuries were reported.