TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) – Just two weeks after a train derailment and bridge collapse caused a massive fire in Tempe, trains are rolling once again.
An Arizona’s Family photographer was there when the first train crossed the bridge on the newly laid rails overnight.
The July 29 derailment, which dominated Arizona’s news and made national headlines, was the second one in less than a month. While the June 26 derailment was relatively minor and went largely unnoticed, the plume of thick black smoke from the July 29 fire was visible for miles.
Early that morning, as many as 10 cars derailed, according to a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad. The south side of the bridge – where Tempe Beach Park is located -- collapsed and caught fire. Nobody was hurt, but one person in the park was treated for smoke inhalation.
The Salt River Union Pacific Bridge, which runs parallel to the Mill Avenue Bridge, was built in 1912 and survived floods that destroyed three other truss bridges in the same location.
Union Pacific is responsible for the bridge and its upkeep. It says bridges are visually inspected every 30 days. The Salt River Bridge had its annual inspection on July 9.
The cause of the train derailment, bridge collapse and subsequent fire is under investigation.
PHOTOS: Train fire, bridge collapse over Tempe Town Lake
"It looks like a scene from hell, truly. A scene from hell," a woman who rode her bike under the train bridge merely moments before the collapse and fire told Arizona's Family.
A freight train derailed on a bridge over Tempe Town Lake early the morning of Wednesday, July 29. The wreck sparked a massive fire with huge smoke plume that was visible for miles. It also caused the bridge to partially collapse. One witness described it as "a scene from hell."
Two workers were exposed to toxic chemicals leaking from a couple of the derailed cars.
It was the second train derailment in that area in less than a month.
🗎/► Investigators working to find cause of train derailment, bridge collapse in Tempe
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After the damaged portion of the bridge was demolished, Union Pacific repaired the track. It was back open two weeks after the derailment.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on the accident in early September. Investigators found no evidence of criminal activity or sabotage.
