Large Fire Closes Ohio River Bridge, Steel Structure Damaged - Newsweek

A massive fire that broke out overnight has closed a busy bridge on the Ohio River that runs between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky on Friday.

Part of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge's steel structure is said to have been damaged by the fire, and Interstate 471 was shut down.

Cincinnati Fire Department said the fire broke out near a playground in a park under the bridge. No injuries have been reported.

Footage from local news outlets shows flames reaching above the bridge located in downtown Cincinnati. Fire crews said steel beams were warped by the fire and pieces of concrete had fallen from the structure.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Lindsay Haegele, a public information officer for the Cincinnati Fire Department, said the fire was started in the playground of the Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point. The park was said to be badly damaged.

Haegele also said the fire was not started in a vehicle as had been first reported.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.

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