Crews Contain Fire on Northport Side of Black Warrior River Railroad Trestle

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Northport Fire Rescue responded to a reported fire on the downtown train trestle spanning the Black Warrior River on Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival, crews discovered three to four small fires burning along the railroad tracks and were able to quickly contain and extinguish the flames within about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported, and officials say there is no danger to the public. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but a work crew in the area told firefighters that a train had recently passed through and may have been a contributing factor.

Why it matters

Railroad trestles and bridges are critical infrastructure, and any fire or damage to these structures can disrupt vital transportation links and pose a risk to public safety. Northport's downtown trestle over the Black Warrior River is an important crossing for both rail and vehicle traffic, so a fire incident like this raises concerns about the integrity and security of the structure.

The details

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found multiple small fires burning along the railroad tracks on the Northport side of the downtown train trestle. Crews were able to quickly contain and extinguish the flames within about 15 minutes, preventing any significant damage to the trestle structure. A work crew in the area told firefighters that a train had recently passed through, suggesting the fire may have been sparked by something from the train.

• The fire was reported on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

What’s next

Investigators will continue to look into the exact cause of the fire, but no further action is expected unless the investigation uncovers any evidence of criminal activity or safety issues with the trestle structure.