Airport Way in Snohomish was shut down early Tuesday after a large fire ripped along the train tracks, burning a long stretch of the rail trestle, injuring at least one person and triggering a heavy emergency response. Crews worked to corral the flames while traffic was pushed onto side streets, clogging what is usually the town’s main route running north to south. Photos from the scene showed charred timbers and visible damage along the trestle.
According to Snohomish County Fire District 4, crews issued a traffic alert stating, “Airport Way is shut down due to a large fire near the train tracks with a burn patient,” and urged drivers to find alternate routes and keep an eye out for firefighters and other responders working along the roadway. The agency also shared photos from the scene that were later picked up by local media.
As reported by KIRO 7, Snohomish Fire said the blaze was fully out by about 6:30 a.m., with an estimated 300 feet of the trestle burned. KIRO’s coverage includes a gallery of images credited to the fire district that show firefighters on scene and close-up views of the scorched structure.
Why This Stretch Matters
Airport Way is Snohomish’s main traffic artery, running past Harvey Field and a cluster of small businesses, so any closure hits local drivers and airport access hard and fast. Harvey Field has been at the center of previous coverage highlighting how crucial Airport Way is to the town’s transportation network.
Traffic And Safety Advisory
Snohomish County Fire District 4 asked drivers to obey detours and yield to emergency vehicles while crews remained on scene. Commuters heading into downtown Snohomish or trying to reach Harvey Field were told to brace for delays until officials can fully assess the trestle damage and reopen the affected lanes.
Officials had not yet released a cause of the fire, KIRO 7 reported. Investigators are expected to comb through the site to determine what sparked the blaze and what it will take to repair the damaged trestle. This remains a developing situation, and agencies are likely to roll out more details as they firm up timelines for repairs and reopening.
