A HIGHWAY 75 EXIT INTO LE MARS REMAINS CLOSED AFTER THE BRIDGE THERE WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE SATURDAY NIGHT.
LE MARS FIRE CHIEF DAVE SCHIPPER SAYS THE FIRE WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER 10 P.M. SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE FLOYD RIVER ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF TOWN AT EXIT 116.
THAT IS AT 24TH STREET S.W. FROM HIGHWAY 75 NEAR WELLS ENTERPRISES CORPORATE OFFICES.
SCHIPPER SAYS THE FIRE WAS ACCIDENTAL AND STARTED WHEN A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL, LIVING UNDER THE BRIDGE BEGAN A FIRE TO COOK AND STAY WARM.
THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD AND ENGULFED THE INDIVIDUAL’S BELONGINGS AND THEN TO THE RUBBER EXPANSION JOINT BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND THE PAVEMENT.
THE EXIT WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
A BRIDGE INSPECTOR WAS TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE MONDAY.
Updated 11:27 a.m. 2/14/22
