CINCINNATI — Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency in Hamilton County after the fire that damaged part of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

DeWine announced a state of emergency Wednesday “due to the unsafe conditions and damage.”

On Friday, November 1, around 3:30 a.m., the 1000 Hands playground at Sawyer Point Park caught fire, causing part of the bridge to burn. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Authorities said no one was injured and no hazardous materials were burned, but the entire south side of the bridge, from Cincinnati to northern Kentucky, is closed indefinitely. One northbound lane is also closed while repairs are underway.

A release from ODOT says designs are being finalized for the shoring towers that will stabilize the bridge, with construction expected to begin at the end of the week.

DeWine declaring a state of emergency allows crews and officials to use “federal funding from the Federal Emergency Relief Program for immediate repairs and to reopen the highway as soon as safely possible.”

Currently, traffic is diverted in several ways.

Sections of Sawyer Point reopened Wednesday after the fire, the park was completely closed.

The West Lawn, South Trail, and Sawyer Point pickleball/tennis courts are all now open to visitors. The area below the damaged portion of the bridge will remain closed to the public until it is deemed safe by Cincinnati Parks and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Massive fire destroys playground, causes ‘significant’ damage to Ohio River bridge