UPDATE: The Parks and Recreation Department today reopened the Riverwalk Trail trestle bridge over the Dan River at the Crossing at The Dan. Boards and other material damaged by a fire earlier this week were replaced or repaired.
ORIGINAL STORY POSTED MONDAY, MARCH 13
Fire closes trestle bridge on Riverwalk Trail
The Riverwalk Trail trestle bridge over the Dan River at the Crossing at The Dan is closed due to damage Monday from a fire. The bridge will remain closed until repairs are complete.
The Riverwalk Trail trestle bridge over the Dan River at the Crossing at The Dan is closed due to damage Monday from a fire. The bridge will remain closed until repairs are complete.
The Fire Department responded at 11:49 a.m. to a call that the trestle bridge was on fire. Firefighters found heavy smoke showing from the bridge. Further investigation showed a moderate amount of fire approximately 300 feet off the north side of the trestle.
Firefighters initially deployed hand water extinguishers to control the fire until the hose lines could be deployed from the "S" curves on River Street. The fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes.
The fire had extended under the decking boards onto the old railroad ties below it. A large area of wood had to be pulled up and/or cut out from the bridge to extinguish hot spots and confirm the fire was out. This included a section of handrail.
During the operation, River Street was closed to use the hydrant across the street. The street was reopened at 2:30 p.m.
The Fire Marshal's Office determined the cause of the fire was improperly disposing of smoking materials.