A railroad bridge over the Squamscott River in Stratham erupted into flames Wednesday, presenting significant challenges for firefighters trying to access the remote location.
Fire crews were first alerted shortly after 6:00 p.m. by a neighbor who spotted the fire. Due to thick woods and marshland, fire trucks could only get within several thousand feet of the burning bridge. Firefighters extended thousands of feet of hose to combat the fire, WMUR reports.
The bridge, located at the mouth of Great Bay, has been burning for hours. Witnesses reported high winds fueling the flames and said the bridge appears almost entirely destroyed.
A spokesperson for CSX, the railroad company that operates the bridge, confirmed they are aware of the fire. Neighbors noted unusual activity on the bridge in recent days, with trains operating at levels they hadn’t seen in years.
Fire crews on the scene have yet to confirm the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage.
