Historic Red Bridge in Kamloops, B.C., destroyed by fire
RCMP investigating; people asked to stay away from river west of bridge; parks, boat launches closed
Police and fire officials in Kamloops, B.C., are investigating after the city's Red Bridge was destroyed by flames early Thursday morning.
Witnesses said they were woken by the sound of the fire at the 88-year-old wooden road bridge, which connected the city's downtown with the Tk'emlúps Indian Band reserve and an industrial park across the South Thompson River.
Capt. Norm Little with Kamloops Fire Rescue said firefighters were called to the blaze around 3:10 a.m. PT. He confirmed the roadway of the bridge had collapsed into the river.
Nearby resident Nevada Woods said she heard what sounded like a tree falling around 3:30 a.m. PT.
"I looked out my window and I could see two smoke plumes," Woods said. "You could see a little bit of an orange hue."
She said she walked to a nearby campground less than a kilometre from the bridge and saw the fire growing larger. Then, she said, the bridge fell into the river with a big crash.
"It collapsed entirely into the river," she said. "All the wood fell into the river, still on fire. There was a big splash, and a big flame."
According to the City of Kamloops, the wooden truss bridge was built in 1936, replacing previous bridges in the same location that had been built in 1887 and 1912. Connecting Kamloops to the Tk'emlúps Indian Band Reserve, the bridge was an important cultural site signifying the ties between the two communities, the city said.
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir said in a statement the nation is saddened by the loss of the bridge.
"This loss brings many emotions, critical conversations and new challenges," Casimir said.
Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson said the Red Bridge, which was less than two kilometres west of the Highway 5 crossing over the South Thompson River, was regularly used by commuters and semi-trucks and had long been in need of repair.
"I'm not sure how many vehicles go across, but I'm sure it's huge," said Hamer-Jackson, who added he hopes the bridge can be rebuilt.
In an email to CBC News, B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming said the ministry is working with other agencies to study the fire's impact on the bridge and figure out plans to clean up and restore the area.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the fire and the significant damage to the historic Red Bridge in Kamloops," Fleming said. "This was a beloved structure that was very important to people in the region."
He added once the full extent of the damage is known, the ministry will sit down with the City and Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc to determine long-term plans for the bridge.
Fire 'suspicious': police
In a news release, Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley said police are investigating the fire as suspicious.
Pelley said this is the second fire on the bridge in two days. A small fire on the bridge earlier this week forced a temporary closure.
"[We] will continue to work closely with our fire investigators and Kamloops Fire Rescue partners to establish how the fire began and if criminality was involved," Pelley said.
Police are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact Kamloops RCMP.
The City of Kamloops said the fire caused a risk of floating debris and it's asking residents to stay away from the Thompson rivers west of the bridge.
Pioneer Park, the Riverside Park pier, and part of Rivers Trail between the two parks were closed Thursday, as were all city boat launches.
The quality of local drinking water has not been affected by the fire, Casimir said in a statement with the city.
Mark Conti, a longtime Kamloops resident, said he's not surprised the bridge collapsed. He said the bridge has been in poor condition for years.
"It's a shame," he said. "It's historical. If they put a new bridge up, I'd imagine they would tear this one down."
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With files from Marcella Bernardo and Jessica Wallace