Officials in Beadle County believe arson is to blame for a wooden bridge that was burned Sunday. The Cavour Fire Department was dispatched around 7:45 AM Sunday to burning bridge seven miles north and three-quarters of a mile east of Cavour on 201st Street. Arriving
firefighters found the fire burning toward the center of the bridge deck and framework. A backhoe and crew from the Beadle County Highway Department assisted fire crews in extinguishing the fire. Authorities believe the bridge is a total loss with damage estimated at 215-thousand dollars. Up to a 10-thousand dollar reward is available for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Those with information are asked to contact the South Dakota Arson Hot-line at 1-888-860-2148 or local law enforcement. The bridge had been posted CLOSED earlier this year due to ice damage and erosion from flooding. The State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting the Beadle County Sheriff and Highway Departments and Cavour Fire Department in the investigation.
(photos courtesy of Beadle County Emergency Management)