Neighbors battle covered-bridge fire
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An arsonist's fire damaged the covered bridge near Newburg Sunday. (Denny Clopper/Special to The Sentinel)
The damage is evident from outside the bridge. (Denny Clopper/Special to The Sentinel)
A swift reaction by neighbors and volunteer firefighters saved Ramp's Bridge from an arsonist's fire early Sunday.
Cecelia Jankura, who lives within feet of the bridge, lauds firefighters for their rapid response.
Jankura, who joined neighbors to mount a fire-extinguisher attack on the 3:51 a.m. blaze, says, "The fire companies were here really fast. They did a great job."
Ed Hoover, chief of the Newburg-Hopewell Volunteer Fire Co., the first to respond, says a portion of the wooden bridge was ablaze when his troops arrived.
Hoover says a Sunday inspection by a state police fire marshal confirmed arson was the cause.
Beams scorched
The fire reportedly started at the midpoint of the downstream side of the span, which crosses Conodoguinet Creek in Hopewell Township east of Newburg. Flames scorched several support beams and burned through the plank siding before it was contained.
Jankura says neighbors were able to keep the blaze from spreading. She says flames were working up the bridge structure but the availability of fire extinguishers was a crucial advantage.
"When the firemen got here they foamed the bridge to make sure the flames couldn't spread,' she says. "Then put it out quickly."
Hopewell Township Supervisor Gene Mellinger said today he will contact engineers who oversee maintenance of the bridge for Cumberland County commissioners.
The bridge remains open to traffic.
Heights to be restricted
The 130-foot-long bridge was built in 1882 by Samuel Myers. It is considered to be the last covered bridge in its original location in Cumberland County.
Covered Bridge Road, where the span is located, connects Route 641 with East Creek Road.
Hoover says the bridge was the target of an arsonist in 1991.
Last year the bridge was twice damaged by oversized vehicles, forcing its closure while repairs were made.
The bridge has a height restriction of 11 feet, 2 inches and a 3-ton weight limit. Supervisors are in the process of reducing the height limit to 9 feet, 6 inches.
Supervisor Danny Forrester expects new barriers to be erected this summer to restrict tall vehicles from access to the bridge.
He anticipates the bridge will be closed temporarily for unrelated upgrades to the structure and deck.
