News
Fire Destroys Historic Bridge
By: Michael O'Brien | Vinton County Courier
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The State Fire Marshal's Office announced Friday that the fire which destroyed the Humpback Bridge was incendiary in nature.
In a statement, fire marshal spokesman Michael Duchesne said investigators determined the fire was set but stopped short of declaring the fire an arson.
"This is definitely an incendiary (set) fire. We don’t have any information as of yet on a motive, that is to say whether or not it was set intentionally or not," Duchesne said. "We will probably be posting a Blue Ribbon reward sign soon."
The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the historic bridge burned sometime in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Duchesne said investigators want to hear from anyone who saw something out of the ordinary at or around the time of the fire.
"Anyone with information or who may have heard someone speaking about the fire with an unusual level of interest or knowledge is asked to our tip line," Duchesne said.
Built in 1874, the Humpback Bridge was the longest covered bridge in the county and one of two such bridges in the country. The bridge is a total loss.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Vinton County Sheriff's Office, 740-596-5242 or the State Fire Marshal, 1-800-589-2728.