Witness states possible cause of Richmond train trestle fire

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Witness states possible cause of Richmond train trestle fire
Still image of video taken of the scene of a train trestle fire in Richmond on Sunday. (Image credit: Alex Salgado)

By Mike Kinney

The possible source of a train trestle fire in Richmond Sunday night was two people starting a warming fire under the trestle, a witness told officials.

No one was reportedly injured in the blaze, which was first reported at 6:50 p.m. at a trestle located near the Richmond Rod & Gun Club, Richmond Fire Battalion Chief Manly Moulton said Monday. Videos of the fire taken by passersby were posted on Facebook here.

Firefighters gained access to the fire scene by Collins Avenue and Grant Road. Nineteen firefighters, four fire engines and one fire truck responded. The fire was extinguished by 8 p.m. but officials remained at the scene for over five hours, Moulton said.

Union Pacific Police were also onsite along with a Union Pacific representative.

The scene wasn’t cleared for rail traffic until 2:12 a.m. Monday, causing more than five hours of delay to two Amtrak Capitol Corridor trains while the tracks were repaired, Union Pacific spokesperson Tim McMahan said. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.