Fire near Walt Whitman scares Tuesday morning commuters

South Jersey commuters saw smoke billowing near the Walt Whitman Bridge Tuesday morning after a fire near Gloucester City's waterfront.

The Delaware River Port Authority warned drivers around 10 a.m. that the fire was delaying New Jersey traffic. Speeds were reduced on the nearby bridge.

Drivers quickly shared photos to social media, expressing their shock and concern at the thick clouds of dark smoke that seemed to engulf the bridge.

"To say I had a panic attack is an understatement," one Facebook user wrote.

Shortly after the travel alert was posted, all lanes were reopened and normal traffic patterns resumed, according to the DRPA.

NBC10 reported that the fire started around 9:30 a.m. on an industrial crane near a ship at the Gloucester City Terminal. Fire crews were able to control the blaze shortly before 11:30 a.m.

Firefighters from nearby communities also responded to the blaze, which was described as a "multi-alarm" fire by Collingswood's fire department.

"This extensive operation called for many specialized resources including Camden City Fireboat 1," said a Facebook post from Mount Ephraim's fire department.

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Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Gloucester City fire slows Walt Whitman traffic Tuesday