EMA: No threat to public, wildlife after truck fire on S.R. 46 bridge

(WEST HARRISON, Ind.) – A truck carrying paints that caught fire at the State Road 46 bridge in West Harrison on Monday night led to initial concerns about chemicals spilling into the Whitewater River. 

Dearborn County EMA Director Jason Sullivan says multiple agencies responded included the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and Greater Cincinnati Haz-Mat. 

Those agencies do not believe there is any threat to the public, the river or wildlife as a result of the fire. The chemicals burnt in the fire rather than spilling into the river. 

The bridge has been closed for repairs since April 2024 and the truck that caught fire is involved in the construction process. 

Indiana Department of Transportation engineers are now working to identify if there is any structural damage to the bridge as a result of the fire. The bridge had been anticipated to reopen this fall.

The fire occurred around 7:30 p.m. and New Trenton, Harrison, Crosby Township and Whitewater Township fire departments all responded.

The fire remains under investigation.