I-471 is completely closed after fire struck the bridge at Sawyer Point Park

CINCINNATI – All lanes of I-471, including the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, are closed after a fire ravaged Sawyer Point Park early Friday morning.

According to the Cincinnati Fire Department, a vehicle fire near the I-471 bridge spread to the park and set the playground area on fire. Cincinnati police said they received the first report of the vehicle fire around 3:30 a.m. Friday morning.

A closer look at the fire that destroyed Sawyer Point Park and damaged the I-471 bridge

“When we got here, the park under the bridge was completely flooded,” said CPD Lt. Patrick Caton. “The flames reached across the front of the park to over the bridge and actually caused damage to the bridge.”

Caton said the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge itself caught fire.

The fire in the park spread quickly and due to the extent of the fire, several firefighters were called to combat it.

ODOT

“This playground was heavily impacted by the fire and the fire actually spread to the bridge structure of the I-471 bridge,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matt Flagler. “There were nets and equipment under the bridge which also caught fire.”

According to CFD, the fire has currently been contained. However, Caton said parts of it are still smoldering.

Flagler said the playground fire was extinguished relatively quickly, but the fire that spread to the bridge was complex and “caused some damage to the structural steel of that bridge.”

According to KYTC, the fire occurred under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge on the Ohio side of the river.

KYTC is redirecting drivers from I-471 at the KY-8 exit.

KYTC and ODOT are on scene and bridge inspectors are at the bridge to begin investigating after the fire is fully extinguished.

Jay Shakur

KYTC said there is no timeline for when the bridge can reopen.

CPD said no one was injured in the fire, but there was significant property damage.

Highway closed in both directions after fire ravaged nearby Cincinnati Park