The Brooklyn Bridge caught fire briefly during a Fourth of July fireworks display on Saturday evening. The fire was reported around 9:45 p.m., according to the New York Police Department. Flames were seen near the bridge’s Manhattan approach.
Fire crews responded quickly to the scene. The fire appeared to have been extinguished by shortly after 10 p.m., the police said. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Early reports suggest fireworks debris may have ignited the bridge’s wooden structure. The bridge was temporarily closed to traffic during the response.
Officials reopened the bridge to vehicles and pedestrians later that night. The incident caused minor disruptions to holiday celebrations. The bridge sustained no significant structural damage, authorities confirmed.
The New York City Fire Department praised the rapid response of its crews. The department noted that the fire was contained within minutes. Public safety remained the top priority throughout the event.
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, is a historic landmark. It carries thousands of vehicles and pedestrians daily. The brief fire did not affect its overall integrity, engineers said.
Investigators will continue to review footage and debris patterns. The incident highlights the risks associated with fireworks near wooden infrastructure. Officials have not announced any changes to future fireworks displays.
The bridge returned to normal operations by early Sunday. Residents expressed relief that no one was harmed. The event remains a minor incident in the bridge’s long history.
