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Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, I-471 over Ohio River, closed for fire

Umito November 1, 2024

Update, 9:00 a.m.: The massive flames that engulfed the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge Friday morning came from a fire in a playground located under the bridge, according to the Cincinnati Fire Department.

The fire did not start in a vehicle as initially reported, according to Lindsay Haegele, fire department public information officer.

The fire broke out in the playground at Bicentennial Commons in Sawyer Point, Haegele said. The fire caused heavy damage to the park and damage and soot can also be seen on the bridge.

To the firefighters’ knowledge, no hazardous materials were involved, Haegele said. No injuries were reported.

Interstate 471 remains closed as of 9 a.m., nearly six hours after the fire was first reported. Pete Rose Way is also closed under the bridge. Traffic on the Ohio River remains open.

While the fire was extinguished, smoke and some reignited flames were visible after 9 a.m.

Fire crews, Duke Energy personnel, and Ohio and Kentucky Department of Transportation crews remain on site.

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, also known locally as the Big Mac Bridge was opened in 1977 and transports approximately 97,900 vehicles on the Ohio River each day.

Update, 8:15 a.m.: The fire that closed the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge early Friday was first reported as a vehicle fire near the bridge, according to the Cincinnati Fire Department.

Fire crews received a report of a vehicle fire at 3:20 a.m., according to a statement released by district Fire Chief Matt Rotert. Crews found “a large exterior fire at Sawyer Point Park involving the playground,” according to the release.

“Due to the scale of the fire, numerous main streams and large fire lines were deployed in a defensive position to protect the bridge structure and extinguish the fire,” according to firefighters.

Although smoke was still visible after 8 a.m., firefighters reported that the fire was brought under control. Crews are on site and “companies remain on site” to carry out final extinguishing, overhaul and salvage, according to the department.

No information on the causes of the fire has yet been released. Duke Energy and the Department of Transportation are also helping.

The bridge and all lanes of Interstate 471 crossing the Ohio River are expected to remain closed for an extended period of time.

-Cameron Knight, the investigator

Original report: The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and both sides of Interstate 471 over the Ohio River are closed for the morning commute after a massive fire and reports of explosions early Friday.

First responders are concerned about the structural integrity of the bridge and have asked state inspectors to intervene as soon as possible.

“Bridge 471 will be closed for a period of time until we can assess the damage to the bridge. This will most likely impact traffic jams during rush hours,” a rescue worker said on police radio around 4 a.m.

Multiple 911 callers initially reported it was a vehicle fire on southbound I-71 on the Cincinnati side of the bridge at 3:20 a.m.

The Cincinnati Fire Department said crews found a large outdoor fire at Sawyer Point Park involving the playground.

“Due to the scale of the fire, numerous main streams and large fire lines were deployed in a defensive position to protect the bridge structure and extinguish the fire. The fire has been brought under control and companies remain on scene to carry out final extinguishing, overhaul and rescue.

“The Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit is working to determine a cause. Additional support agencies requested on scene are Duke Energy and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The north and southbound lanes of the I-471 bridge have been closed to all traffic at this time.

Earlier Friday morning, fire crews reported seeing “concrete falling on the north side of the bridge” and “significant deformation of the metal under the bridge to the point where it could collapse,” according to initial communications reports emergency.

“We have firefighters on scene of a fire on Pete Rose Way, under the I-471 bridge. The highway is closed in both directions at the river,” the Cincinnati Fire Department said in a social media update shortly before 5 a.m.

Inspectors from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet are on scene and ready to inspect the bridge as soon as the fire is completely extinguished and it is safe, according to Jake Ryle, spokesman for the KYTC.

Ryle said his manager told him the fire started under the bridge.

“I know we have ODOT and KYTC who both have bridge inspectors that are on site now and will begin inspecting the bridge once the fire is out and it is safe to do so. They will inspect the bridge and determine if it is safe to allow traffic to return to the bridge. We don’t have a timeline yet as to when this will take place.

–Jennifer Baker, Fox19