An early morning fiery crash involving a state prison van and a tractor-trailer truck left several people dead. Alabama State troopers said all of those killed were riding in the van. The vehicle was carrying job applicants for Alabama Department of Corrections jobs.

Authorities said the blaze made it difficult to sort out how many died.

State trooper spokesman John Reese said "more than four" were dead, but Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, who went to the scene, said he was told six had died. A prison spokesman said seven died.

The accident happened around 6 a.m. on an isolated stretch of U.S. 82, approximately 20 miles southeast of Montgomery.

Reese said no inmates were riding in the van. He said the driver of the truck, which was loaded with wood products, suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

The highway remains blocked off about three miles from the wreck site in both directions, with traffic being detoured.