Massive fire closes Ohio River bridge near Cincinnati
CINCINNATI. Ohio: A heavily traveled route between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky was closed after a massive fire was reported underneath a bridge spanning the Ohio River.
The fire damaged part of the steel structure, but no injuries were reported.
According to the Cincinnati Fire Department, the fire erupted overnight near a playground under the bridge, shutting down Interstate 471.
Video showed flames soaring more than 40 feet into the air and igniting a short section of the bridge, known for its yellow arches, near downtown Cincinnati. Chunks of concrete fell from the bridge, and the fire warped a few of its steel beams, fire crews reported.
Matt Bruning, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation said the heaviest damage was on the bridge's southbound lanes leading to Kentucky, which will take weeks to repair.
At least three beams and a section of the roadway will need to be replaced, he said.
Frank McKinley, the city's fire chief, said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The flames were fueled by mulch, plastic, and wood playground structures below the bridge, he said.
More than 60 firefighters helped bring the fire under control, he said.
CINCINNATI. Ohio: A heavily traveled route between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky was closed after a massive fire was reported underneath a bridge spanning the Ohio River.
The fire damaged part of the steel structure, but no injuries were reported.
According to the Cincinnati Fire Department, the fire erupted overnight near a playground under the bridge, shutting down Interstate 471.
Video showed flames soaring more than 40 feet into the air and igniting a short section of the bridge, known for its yellow arches, near downtown Cincinnati. Chunks of concrete fell from the bridge, and the fire warped a few of its steel beams, fire crews reported.
Matt Bruning, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation said the heaviest damage was on the bridge's southbound lanes leading to Kentucky, which will take weeks to repair.
At least three beams and a section of the roadway will need to be replaced, he said.
Frank McKinley, the city's fire chief, said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The flames were fueled by mulch, plastic, and wood playground structures below the bridge, he said.
More than 60 firefighters helped bring the fire under control, he said.
