Red Bridge destroyed by fire
Sep 19, 2024 | 6:20 AM
Aaron Schulze
KAMLOOPS — The Red Bridge in Kamloops has been destroyed by fire.
Kamloops Fire Rescue Captain Norm Little says the call came in at 3:10 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 18) and the roadway has since collapsed into the South Thompson River.
There’s no suspected cause for the fire yet, and crews expect to be on site for hours.
Drivers are asked to stay away from both sides of the bridge as crews work.
The razed Red Bridge collapsing. Video from Nevada Woods @nevvie13. Spoke to her. She lives near bridge. Woken up at about 3:30 a.m. by what sounded to her like a tree falling. Walked to get a closer look. She will no longer be taking the Red Bridge to work every day. Sad day. pic.twitter.com/V28z9tYIwq
— Marty Hastings (@MarTheReporter) September 19, 2024
The roadway has collapsed into the river.
KFR Capt. Norm Little says the call came in a 3:10 a.m. No suspected cause yet. He is expects crews to be on site for hours.
Drivers are asked to stay away from both sides of the bridge as crews work.
More shortly @CFJC_Today pic.twitter.com/hV9MaEbEIX
— Aaron Schulze (@SchulzeCFJC) September 19, 2024
Crews finished hose work on the south end of the bridge and continue on the north side. Now it’s just for the middle posts that need to burn out #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/gx35ryNKfl
— Aaron Schulze (@SchulzeCFJC) September 19, 2024
“Obviously, the Red Bridge isn’t going to be available for use. So allow yourself a little extra time because there’s going to be more traffic on the other bridge crossings,” Little told CFJC Today.
Bernice Jensen uses the Red Bridge daily to get to work and do her family’s shopping. She told CFJC Today the scene unfolding in front of her made her emotional.
“I think a lot of people from the reserve side are going to really need to have a bridge,” Jensen says. “Even without the bridge yesterday, it was a big impact on the travelling back and forth to downtown or going to North Kamloops. I’m just looking at it burn, and it hurts the heart.”
The fully engulfed flames come two days after the Red Bridge was temporarily closed due to a fire involving its southern support beams.
This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.
