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INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. -- Authorities spent more than three hours extinguishing a fire on a historic swing bridge in Inver Grove Heights on Thursday.
The bridge, which is located at at 66th St. E. in Inver Grove Heights, used to connect Inver Grove Heights with St. Paul Park over the Mississippi River. The fire started at about 2 p.m.
Authorities believe a spark from a welder ignited wood in the original 1894 section of the bridge. Construction crews have been working on the bridge for the last 18 months. The bridge was being restored as a 670-foot recreational pier for bikers and pedestrians. It was set to be completed in just a few weeks at a cost of $2.4 million.
"It's disappointing that it happened this close to the end of the project," said Eric Carlson, director of parks and recreation for Inver Grove Heights.
Still Carlson remained optimistic Thursday evening that the pier can still be completed. He said the project was insured and early indications suggest the bridge's steel structure was not damaged. A more complete inspection will take place on Friday.
The bridge was originally constructed in double-deck fashion, with trains on top and cars beneath. Before its closure in 1999 for structural reasons, it was being used as a 75 cent toll bridge for car traffic only.
Firefighters sprayed water from several boats as burning century-old wooden stringers dropped into the Mississippi River below.
Officials say no-one was hurt, and the fire was out by about 5:30 p.m.
