Bridge maintenance sparks fire on Mississippi River, destroys boats

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (WMC) - Four boats sit severely damaged after a late-night fire on the Mississippi River on Tuesday.

Sparks from scheduled bridge maintenance started the fire.

According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, crews were working on the Hernando DeSoto bridge. Before the work began, a warning was given.

“We talked to the owner of the boat marina, owner operator. There are several boats that are parked there and beneath the bridge. We talked about moving the boats out of the way and I believe he did move some of those boats out of the way, maybe a half dozen,” said Dave Parker with the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

All the boats were not moved.

“He told us essentially they are not worth moving, not worth putting on a trailer and hauling away. Let’s keep them here. Those are the boats that ended up catching fire,” Parker said.

One boat belonged to Mike’s brother. Mike said his brother placed the boat in the storage as they worked on repairing it.

“I’m not really sure how much it is going to cost because all of this side is burnt,” Mike said.

During the maintenance Tuesday night, ARDOT crews used a torch. Sparks flew and hit the boats, causing a fire.

Parker said the department discourages parking anything under bridges, but this storage area was set up years before they implemented this rule.

“We discourage it because of these reasons. We know we are going to have to get under bridges, under overpasses to do repairs at some point. When you are doing that kind of work, using an open torch, flame. You never know what may happen. This is exactly why we don’t allow it, going forward,” Parker said.

Parker said the lift the ARDOT crew was on malfunctioned. He said Memphis Fire Department rescued them. No one was injured.

The Hernando DeSoto bridge over the Mississippi River between Memphis and West Memphis is scheduled to have nightly eastbound inside and middle lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday night, June 15, through Friday morning, June 19.

Going forward, ARDOT says they will tell people they have to move vehicles or equipment from underneath bridges.

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