On Monday afternoon, firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were fighting a fire on the CSX railroad bridge over the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, W. Va, suspending train service.
According to the Washington County Emergency Services Department in Maryland, the fire was reported at 3:38 p.m. on the CSX railroad bridge between Maryland and West Virginia.
According to the department, the fire spread quickly and caused extensive damage.
At 5:30 p.m., the fire was reported as under control, and firefighters waited for CSX authorities to assess the damage.
Sandy Hook Road was closed for approximately 4 hours as firefighters fought the fire.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
According to the Maryland Transit Administration, MARC commuter rail service was canceled Tuesday from West Virginia to Maryland and Washington D.C.
Officials met Tuesday with CSX Transportation to talk about repairs to the bridge.
"CSX teams inspected the bridge and confirmed its structural integrity. CSX teams worked safely and expeditiously through the night to replace damaged ties and rail," CSX Transportation spokesperson Bryan Tucker said in an email Tuesday morning. "One of the two rail lines on the bridge reopened to train traffic at 3:30 a.m. ... We expect the other to be restored by 11:30 a.m."
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Source: Firehouse.com, The Herald-Mail, The Washington Post
