Spring Break
Fire engulfs railroad trestle on Sunday
Corvallis Police and Fire Department are still investigating the cause of
Nick Ngo
Issue date: 7/11/07 Section: News
A fire broke out on a railroad trestle near N.E. Conser Dr. and N.E. Conifer Blvd. at 3:34 p.m. July 8. The Corvallis Fire Department came to the scene and had the fire under control within 40 minutes.
Fire Prevention Officer Carla Pusateri ruled out the possibility that the fire was started by natural causes or a train.
"That only leaves that it was something human caused," Pusateri said.
They have a lead on two juvenile males leaving the area just as the fire was getting started.
The fire was started on the north end of the railroad trestle. The wind later pushed it toward the creek and brushes, causing the fire to spread throughout the whole trestle. Pusateri said the fire could've been started by fireworks, matches or a discarded cigarette.
Neighboring houses close to the track were not in a close enough proximity to be in danger.
Currently, the Corvallis Police Department is still trying to find the juveniles that were seen near the trestle. Pusateri said CDP has a possible lead on one of the juveniles.
The heaviest damage the fire caused was at the north end of the tracks.
Bruce Carswell, president of Portland and Western Railroad, Inc., said they have made temporary repairs so the trains can continue passing through the trestle. They had to do immediate repairs to the wood ties that the trail attaches to.
A speed restriction of 10 mph was also enforced, normally the speed limit is 25 mph. Permanent repairs will begin within the next week or two.
"At least from an immediate stand point, we have done what we needed to do," Carswell said. "In longer terms, they will see [what to do] after checking how the weather has affected it."
He said usually the damage from a fire doesn't show up immediately, only until after the bridge sits for a while.
The fire didn't cause much big backup traffic for operating trains, Carswell said.
"Fortunately, we had it repaired soon enough so it didn't cause that much of a huge backup," Carswell said. "But it did cause some inconveniences."
Fire Prevention Officer Carla Pusateri ruled out the possibility that the fire was started by natural causes or a train.
"That only leaves that it was something human caused," Pusateri said.
They have a lead on two juvenile males leaving the area just as the fire was getting started.
The fire was started on the north end of the railroad trestle. The wind later pushed it toward the creek and brushes, causing the fire to spread throughout the whole trestle. Pusateri said the fire could've been started by fireworks, matches or a discarded cigarette.
Neighboring houses close to the track were not in a close enough proximity to be in danger.
Currently, the Corvallis Police Department is still trying to find the juveniles that were seen near the trestle. Pusateri said CDP has a possible lead on one of the juveniles.
The heaviest damage the fire caused was at the north end of the tracks.
Bruce Carswell, president of Portland and Western Railroad, Inc., said they have made temporary repairs so the trains can continue passing through the trestle. They had to do immediate repairs to the wood ties that the trail attaches to.
A speed restriction of 10 mph was also enforced, normally the speed limit is 25 mph. Permanent repairs will begin within the next week or two.
"At least from an immediate stand point, we have done what we needed to do," Carswell said. "In longer terms, they will see [what to do] after checking how the weather has affected it."
He said usually the damage from a fire doesn't show up immediately, only until after the bridge sits for a while.
The fire didn't cause much big backup traffic for operating trains, Carswell said.
"Fortunately, we had it repaired soon enough so it didn't cause that much of a huge backup," Carswell said. "But it did cause some inconveniences."
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.