Fire destroys CN trestle bridge northwest of Edmonton [WATCH]
by The Canadian Press
Blaze engulfed wooden bridge before being doused by a water bomber
MAYERTHORPE, Alta.—Residents of a trailer park have been given the all-clear to return home after a fire that RCMP are investigating as a possible arson engulfed a wooden trestle bridge northwest of Edmonton.
The fire started the afternoon of April 26 at the Canadian National Railway bridge on the outskirts of Mayerthorpe, forcing students at the nearby Mayerthorpe high school and residents of 38 mobile homes at the Kreek’s Krossing trailer park to leave.
Thick, black smoke billowed from the burning railway bridge for hours until it collapsed later Tuesday.
Ashley Olsen, spokeswoman for the town of Mayerthorpe, said the fire has been contained and residents were being allowed back.
Kevin Andrea, superintendent of Northern Gateway Public Schools, said students were sent home early over concerns the smoke from creosote in the wood could cause health problems.
Water bombers, along with fire crews from Mayerthorpe and surrounding areas, battled the blaze.
A CN spokeswoman said there were no injuries and train traffic was not affected.
Watch the fire from the air, filmed by a local aircraft distributor
