Massive fire damages Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, I-471 closed

On November 1, 2024By Littum

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and both sides of Interstate 471 over the Ohio River are closed to the morning commute after a massive fire damaged the bridge early Friday.

Both will remain closed through at least the morning commute, Cincinnati Assistant Fire Chief Matt Flagler said.

It’s not clear when the highway and bridge will reopen because the fire damaged the structural steel on the bridge, he said.

Cincinnati fire crews responded to a large outdoor fire at Sawyer Point Park just before 3:30 a.m

Fire crews reported seeing “concrete falling on the north side of the bridge” and “significant metal warping under the bridge to the point of failure,” according to initial emergency communications reports.

“The Sawyer Point Park playground was heavily involved in fire and the fire actually transferred to the bridge structure on the I-471 bridge. The fire that was on the bridge was pretty complex and did quite a bit of damage to the structural steel of the bridge,” said Cincinnati Asst. fire chief Matt Flagler.

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and both sides of Interstate 471 over the Ohio River are closed… — The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and both sides of Interstate 471 over the Ohio River are closed to the morning commute after a massive fire damaged the bridge early Friday.(FOX19 NOW)

Several streets in downtown Cincinnati are closed under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge due to a... — Several streets in downtown Cincinnati are closed under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge due to a massive fire early Friday.(FOX19 NOW)

The fire has been contained and crews are still on the scene doing final extinguishment, inspection and recovery, according to Flagler.

Inspectors from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are on the scene, according to Jake Ryle, KYTC spokesman,

“I know we have ODOT and KYTC both have bridge inspectors that are on site now and will start inspecting the bridge after the fire is out and it’s safe to do so. They will inspect the bridge and look through to determine if it’s safe to allow traffic back on the bridge. We don’t have a timeline yet for when that will happen.”

The Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit is working to determine a cause.

Both sides of Interstate 471 are closed at and on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over... — Both sides of Interstate 471 are closed at and on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River after a large fire and reports of explosions early Friday.(FOX19 NOW)

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