Red Bridge in Kamloops, B.C., destroyed by fire

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'emlps Indian Band reserve and an industrial park across the South Thompson River.

Capt. Norm Littlewith Kamloops Fire Rescuesaid firefighters were called to the blaze around 3:10 a.m. PT. He confirmed the roadway of thebridge had collapsed into the river.

Nearby resident Nevada Woods said she heard what sounded like a tree falling down 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."

WATCH | The Red Bridge collapses into the South Thompson River:

Red Bridge in Kamloops crashes into river after fire

1 hour ago

Duration 0:21

Video taken by Kamloops, B.C., resident Nevada Woods shows the Red Bridge in flames collapsing into the South Thompson River around 4 a.m.. on Sept. 19, 2024.

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 bigflame."

In a news release, Kamloops RCMPSupt. Jeff Pelley saidpolice are investigating the fire as suspicious.

Pelley saidthis is the second fire on the bridge in two days. Asmall 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.

WATCH | The Red Bridge ablaze early Thursday:

Red Bridge in Kamloops destroyed by fire

4 hours ago

Duration 1:00

The 88-year-old Red Bridge, which spans the South Thompson River in Kamloops, B.C., was destroyed early Thursday after it was engulfed in flames.

The City of Kamloopssaid the fire causeda risk of floating debris and it's askingresidents 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 have been closed, as have all city boat launches.

Kamloops MayorReid 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 andhadlong 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 hopesthe bridge can be rebuilt.

Tkemlps te Secwpemc Kkpi7 Rosanne Casimirsaid in a statement the nationis saddened by the loss of the bridge.

"This loss brings many emotions, critical conversationsand new challenges," Casimir said.

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, saidhe'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."