MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK – A large wooden train trestle along the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad has been destroyed by fire. The nonprofit that runs the trains says the fire was human-caused. Authorities say a suspect has been identified but they have not named that individual.
“Huge sections of the bridge have collapsed, and the fire is still raging,” Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad wrote on its Instagram account while the flames were burning. “The heat is so intense, the steel rail is warping and melting.”
The bridge was rebuilt about 20 years ago and was in good shape at the time. The railroad operator had planned to start running scenic rides along that section next year and eventually planned to offer freight service to the town of Morton, just outside of Mount Rainier National Park.
“There are folks here that have given decades to this railroad, both as employees and volunteers, and, you know, you’re quite literally watching all of your hard work and your hopes and dreams for the place go up in smoke,” Bethan Maher told KING5. Maher is the executive director of Western Forest Industries Museum which manages Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad.
The organization is now asking for donations to cover the cost to replace the bridge because they are worried that insurance will not cover the cost. Click here to go to their GoFundMe page.
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