Live Wire, Debris Sparked Smoky Fire Under Gilmore Bridge

A live wire broke off the Gilmore Bridge this morning, fell 60 feet and set fire to a pile of railroad ties this morning, according to Boston fire officials. There were no injuries reported.

The fire started around 11:40 a.m., and it quickly sent a huge, dark cloud of smoke about 150 feet in the air that could be seen for miles. Steve MacDonald, spokesman for the Boston Fire Department said the city residents dozens of 911 calls, but firefighters had some trouble initially source of the fire because of the amount of smoke. 

Railroad ties are sometimes treated with chemicals, MacDonald said, which may have explained the large clouds of smoke. Boston firefighters were "decontaminated" today, in case they were exposed to any dangerous chemicals during the fire.

Crews from Cambridge and Boston responded on either side of the bridge. In Boston, firefighters stationed at Boston Sand & Gravel, under Interstate 93, had to run hose across the Commuter Rail tracks.

The MBTA stopped service for 45 minutes to an hour while firefighters were on the scene. Traffic on the bridge was closed for at least in hour, as well.