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An early Monday morning fire destroyed a longstanding rail bridge in Lincoln, prompting a multi-agency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause. “The bridge was engulfed,” said MJ Lierman, a spokesperson for Lincoln Fire and Rescue.Firefighters worked to control lingering hot spots as construction crews dismantled portions of the damaged timbers to help extinguish the blaze.“We’re trying to get it put out,” Lierman said.Workers also installed a barrier in the creek below the bridge to prevent debris and chemical runoff from spreading downstream. Lierman said crews applied foam to the area and were assisted by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and hazardous materials teams from Union Pacific.The bridge was used by both Union Pacific and BNSF, according to a statement from Union Pacific, and was considered an active rail line.”Union Pacific has an engineering team on the ground surveying the situation,” a spokesperson with the company said. “No time frame on when repairs will be done.”The bridge is considered a total loss. It is unclear how the damage will affect rail schedules for Union Pacific or BNSF.Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the fire. Authorities said there have been reports of homeless encampments in the area.“We are looking into that with LPD,” Lierman said.No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made.For some neighbors, the loss is personal.“Since I was a child — and before that — it’s an old bridge. I hate to see that stuff go,” said Eric Loos, who lives in the area. “I thought it would outlast me, but I guess I was wrong.”Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
An early Monday morning fire destroyed a longstanding rail bridge in Lincoln, prompting a multi-agency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause.
“The bridge was engulfed,” said MJ Lierman, a spokesperson for Lincoln Fire and Rescue.
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Firefighters worked to control lingering hot spots as construction crews dismantled portions of the damaged timbers to help extinguish the blaze.
“We’re trying to get it put out,” Lierman said.
Workers also installed a barrier in the creek below the bridge to prevent debris and chemical runoff from spreading downstream. Lierman said crews applied foam to the area and were assisted by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and hazardous materials teams from Union Pacific.
The bridge was used by both Union Pacific and BNSF, according to a statement from Union Pacific, and was considered an active rail line.
“Union Pacific has an engineering team on the ground surveying the situation,” a spokesperson with the company said. “No time frame on when repairs will be done.”
The bridge is considered a total loss. It is unclear how the damage will affect rail schedules for Union Pacific or BNSF.
Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the fire. Authorities said there have been reports of homeless encampments in the area.
“We are looking into that with LPD,” Lierman said.
No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made.
For some neighbors, the loss is personal.
“Since I was a child — and before that — it’s an old bridge. I hate to see that stuff go,” said Eric Loos, who lives in the area. “I thought it would outlast me, but I guess I was wrong.”
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
