Firefighters rushed to the Riverbend Music Center grounds yesterday afternoon after a fire broke out at a construction site beside the longtime Cincinnati concert venue. No injuries were reported, but the response brought heavy equipment to a busy Kellogg Avenue corridor on a night when thousands of fans were expected for a scheduled show.
The Cincinnati Fire Department received the call shortly after 2 p.m., according to Cincinnati.com. Eight firetrucks, including a heavy-rescue unit, were dispatched to the scene, officials said.
Fire Came During Construction Of New Farmer Music Center
The blaze was reported amid work on the Farmer Music Center, a new $160 million venue being built adjacent to Riverbend. The Farmer Music Center says the project is expected to continue Cincinnati’s live-music tradition, while WLWT has reported that the venue is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
Music & Event Management Inc. referred questions about the fire to Messer Construction, according to Cincinnati.com. The fire department urged drivers to use caution along Kellogg Avenue while crews worked at the site.
Train Concert Was Scheduled For Wednesday Night
The incident unfolded as Riverbend was scheduled to host Train, Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson yesterday evening. The official MEMI event calendar listed doors opening at 5:15 p.m. and the concert beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Officials had not publicly released a cause, damage estimate, or detailed information about the fire’s origin in the initial reports. The immediate confirmed picture was narrower but reassuring: firefighters responded in force, traffic was affected, and no injuries were reported.
