A pedestrian footbridge near the Harding Street exit in Speedway caught fire early Friday, forcing firefighters to cut away about 30 feet of the span as they worked to knock down the blaze. Ladder 88 and multiple engine and tanker companies responded to the scene. The department did not report any injuries and has not released a cause.
Photos Show Crews Cutting Away Damaged Span
In a Facebook post from the Speedway Fire Department, officials said Ladder 88 worked the incident alongside Indianapolis Engine 18, Wayne Township Engine 81 and IFD Tanker 42 at the Harding Street exit. Photos shared in the post show firefighters using tools to cut out roughly 30 feet of the pedestrian bridge to reach stubborn hot spots. The department reported that the fire was under control at the time the images were posted.
Mutual Aid and Department Response
The Town of Speedway Fire Department page notes that the department provides 24 hour emergency and EMS coverage and works closely with surrounding agencies on larger calls. That regional mutual aid setup helps explain the number of units on scene for a bridge fire near a highway exit, where multiple jurisdictions typically team up to secure the area and safeguard drivers and pedestrians. Officials have not released any timeline for structural inspections or for repairs to the damaged section of the bridge.
Area Access and Next Steps
Photos from the scene show heavy charring and a clear gap where crews removed sections of the bridge, which suggests the span will remain closed to foot traffic until engineers can complete an assessment. The Speedway Fire Department Facebook post remains the main public description of the incident and includes the images shared Friday. The post did not specify any traffic impacts at the Harding Street exit, and any lane closures or detours may be detailed later by town or highway officials.
For further information, residents can watch the Town of Speedway Fire Department page and the Speedway Fire Department social feed for official updates and additional photos from the scene.
