Brewery releases video of fire below bridge

A video released by Norsemen Brewing Co. shows the fire that started Monday morning under the north end of the Kansas Avenue Bridge.

The video, which is several minutes long, shows the rapid escalation of the fire and heavy smoke that rose over the bridge. Cars can be seen going across the bridge, along with fire trucks arriving on the scene.

The fire started near a homeless camp under the bridge and sent heavy smoke across the area.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Topeka fire officials had listed the fire's cause as undetermined.

Topeka Fire Marshal Mike Martin said no damage estimates had yet been determined.

The fire was reported about 5:25 a.m. in the 800 block of N.E. Quincy.

Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke coming from beneath the bridge.

The smoke was so thick that all lanes of traffic on the bridge were closed for about 20 minutes.

The fire also damaged the bridge, and a portion of the bridge may be closed for months while repairs are made.

City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said Monday afternoon that the temperatures were hot enough to warp the steel girders supporting the roadway. The damage weakened the steel beams that support the northbound lanes from the north abutment to 70 feet south.

Hadfield said the northbound lanes north of the Curtis Flyoff would be closed until the city determines an appropriate repair solution.

Both southbound lanes are open to traffic.