7th Street Bridge Closed In Phoenix After Gas Line Fire

PHOENIX, AZ — The 7th Street Bridge in Phoenix will be closed for several months after a gas line break led to a massive fire, city officials said.

The fire broke out under the bridge around 4 a.m. Sunday when a gas line broke near 7th Street and University Drive. Witnesses reported that flames were up to 20 or 30 feet high, according to Arizona's Family. The fire was contained by 6 a.m. and no firefighters or citizens were injured in the process, the city of Phoenix said in a news release.

The 10-inch gas line was secured by Southwest Gas.

In a statement, the utility company said it is working closely with the Phoenix Fire Department "to ensure the area remains safe, to determine the cause of the incident, and to make necessary repairs to restore service."

Due to the damage it sustained, the bridge over the Salt River will remain closed until further notice. 7th Street north and south of the Salt River, between Broadway Road and the I-17, will also remain closed to cars, pedestrians and bicyclists for an unknown period of time.

“The next weeks and months won't be easy, but we will get through it,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. “The City of Phoenix will do everything in its power to improve traffic flow and transit options, especially for those who live and work south of the River.

The city is asking anyone who travels in this area to allow for extra time and to be patient while it works to fix the damage. Alternate routs should be considered.

The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area’s 7th Street Trailhead will be closed until further notice as well, and 7th Street will be closed prior to the trailhead's access point.