(UPDATE: Sept. 19 at 10:15 am) - Kamloops RCMP officers remain at the scene of the historic Red Bridge as they are treating the overnight blaze as suspicious after it was the second fire to occur at the bridge in as many days.
On Thursday, around 3:25 am, Kamloops and Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP officers received a call to assist Kamloops Fire and Rescue (KFR) at the bridge, which was fully engulfed by flames before it eventually collapsed.
“We are treating the incident as suspicious and note that this is the second fire to occur at the bridge in as many days,” said Supt. Jeff Pelley.
“We are and will continue to work closely with our fire investigators and KFR partners to establish how the fire began and if criminality was involved.
The public is asked to avoid the area as firefighters continue to tackle the fire and burning debris.
“We’re asking residents who may have been in the area at the time to please reach out to police if they saw anything suspicious and to please check their security and dash camera footage to see if anything was captured that could be related to this incident,” added Pelley.
Several closures remain in effect around the fire, including all city boat launches, Pioneer Park, Rivers Trail between Pioneer Park and Riverside Park and Riverside Park pier.
The public is also asked to stay out of the South Thompson and Thompson Rivers at or west of the Red Bridge and to stay back from the river’s edge.
Anyone who witnessed or has video or information about today’s fire or the blaze on Tuesday is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at (250) 828-3000 and reference file 2024-31206.
The City of Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc would also like to assure both communities that the quality of drinking water has not been impacted.
The water intakes for both communities are upstream from the Red Bridge, therefore pulling water before it reaches the debris.
"This loss brings many emotions, critical conversations, and new challenges; I’m confident in our technical teams, staff, experts and the entire community to collaborate and overcome," said Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir.
"We recognize the effect this will have on Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, the City of Kamloops and our neighbouring communities. We ask that everyone keeps safety and care for others as a top priority throughout this period."
(UPDATE: Sept. 19 at 9:35 am) - As the debris of the historic Red Bridge smoulders after a destructive overnight fire, the City of Kamloops announced this morning that it is committed to working with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc following the “loss of this critical piece of provincial infrastructure.”
"This is a tremendously sad day for Kamloops and those who loved the Red Bridge," said Deputy Mayor Stephen Karpuk.
“The impact will be felt immediately, both emotionally and physically. We ask for patience and calm as we process the events and determine the path forward.”
The fire comes at a time when most city councillors are attending the Union of British Columbia Municipalities annual conference in Vancouver.
As a result, city councillors are seeking to arrange an emergency meeting with Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, about the loss of the connection between Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc.
“Our hearts and hands go out to our friends and neighbours at Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc as well,” added Karpuk.
“Patience and reflection, kindness and hope are the virtues we need today. We will get through this."
(UPDATE: Sept. 19 at 6:29 am) - The City of Kamloops has said several closures are in effect due to the fire on the Red Bridge this morning.
It said there is a "risk of falling or floating debris."
Just drove across the red bridge at 8pm a #kamloops landmark is gone!
— Jason White (@racinjasonwhite) September 19, 2024
pic.twitter.com/JXVlr07BwM
As a consequence, all city boat launches (Pioneer Park, Valleyview, and McArthur Island Park), Pioneer Park, Rivers Trail between Pioneer Park and Riverside Park, and Riverside Park pier are closed.
"The City of Kamloops is asking all residents to stay out of the South Thompson and Thompson Rivers at or west of the Red Bridge and to stay back from the rivers edge," the City explained in a bulletin.
Was on the scene of the Red Bridge Fire early this morning about 30 minutes after it was reported. The heat could be felt almost two blocks away and the steel cross beam seen here was starting to glow - meaning heat far exceeded 2000 degrees. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/RwvqJT8ygo
— Allen Douglas (@ADouglasPhotos) September 19, 2024
"Motorists should expect delays as traffic is rerouted from this area."
Posts on social media appear to show the bridge has completely collapsed after becoming engulfed in flames.
(Original story: Sept. 19 at 5:32 am) - A bridge in Kamloops has been closed due to a fire.
DriveBC said a detour is in effect to allow motorists to avoid Red Bridge.
⛔️#RedBridge has been CLOSED in both directions due to a fire. Assessment is in progress. Use an alternate route. #Kamloops #BCHwy5
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) September 19, 2024
That detour is via Hwy 5.
DriveBC first reported the closure just before 4 am.
