New Jersey Department of Transportation crews have begun emergency repairs on the eastbound lanes of Route 3 in Clifton following a truck explosion and fire that claimed the life of the driver and closed the highway for hours.

Authorities are investigating what caused the explosion that killed the 55-year-old driver from Linden and forced the evacuation of three nearby homes.

Police say the incident started when the truck and a bus collided, sending the truck into the sound barrier wall. The truck exploded, sending large plumes of smoke and fire into the air.

Cathy Nguyễn lives in homes that are in front of the sound barrier on the westbound side of Route 3. She says she walked outside to see that same fireball and immediately left her home on Notch Road.

“I see fire coming and a really big explosion. We felt the heat, so we had to evacuate and go to the next block,” Nguyễn said.

A video shared with News 12 New Jersey shows a drum filled with chemicals exploding, as first responders approached the scene. Some of the drums made their way into the yards of nearby homes. Fire officials say the remaining drums are being monitored and they're still trying to identify their contents.

Route 3 eastbound is expected to be closed into Tuesday morning while repairs are being made. The westbound lanes were also closed for a time but reopened Monday evening. The DOT says that motorists should use the detours that have been set up.

The lane closures caused heavy traffic delays in the area for most of Monday.

No other injuries were reported.

News 12 is now waiting on the identity of the truck driver and to find out which company he worked for.