Barricades preventing people from entering the water at the Riverside Park beach. (Photo via City of Kamloops)
The City of Kamloops says the beach at Riverside Park is closed until further notice because of debris in the water after the fire which destroyed the Red Bridge.
The closure is in effect from the train bridge across the South Thompson River to the Riverside Park pier, which was previously closed.
The three city boat launches at Pioneer Park, in Valleyview, and McArthur Island Park are also closed as is Pioneer Park, and the Rivers Trail between Pioneer Park and Riverside Park.
People are being asked to stay out of the South Thompson and Thompson Rivers at or west of the Red Bridge and to stay back from the rivers edge.
Drivers in the area are also being told to expect delays as traffic is rerouted from the area.
Map of the areas at the Riverside Park beach that are closed because of debris. (Photo via City of Kamloops)
Kamloops RCMP said Friday they believe the 88-year-old Red Bridge was intentionally set on fire.
“We are treating it as arson, based on the information and evidence reviewed so far,” Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley said. “The Red Bridge was an important and historic part of our community’s infrastructure; it is extremely disheartening to think that it was purposely destroyed.”
Thursday’s fire was the second at the Red Bridge this week, and police say their investigation will also aim to determine if this blaze is related to the one from early Tuesday.
