A fuel tanker truck turned over on 128 South early this morning in Needham and exploded. Both sides were shut down for a time, and the road "melted under the fire." Images from the explosion suggest a solid black cylinder of smoke rising from the highway.

WCVB got a little carried away describing the incident, using phrases such as "massive" and "spectacular." They refrained from saying, "Wicked scary."

The driver, a very lucky man, survived and said that he swerved to avoid something in the road. (Attention, drivers: Strap down your crap! We are referring to the guys with loose ladders dangling from their vans.) He was carrying 11,500 gallons of gas, the waste of which is enough to make drivers and investors everywhere weep.

[WBZ, WCVB]

No pictures as of yet. Did you happen to spot the smoke tower? Tag your photo "Bostonist" in Flickr to share.