Tempe Town Lake bridge partially detonated after train derailment

PHOENIX – Crews on Sunday detonated a 150-foot portion of a bridge over Tempe Town Lake in Arizona, which was damaged in a train derailment last week. 

A series of horn blasts warned those nearby to clear the area minutes before the stretch of rail bridge was detonated. Debris from the crash days before and the subsequent clean-up was still seen nearby.

At about 8:15 a.m. local time, a brief spark and a puff of black smoke was visible as the designated portion of the bridge collapsed to the ground underneath. A loud booming sound could be heard as the ground briefly shook. 

Tempe police said in a tweet that a secondary inspection would be conducted to ensure all charges went off as designated. 

Previously:Train carrying hazardous materials derails, catches fire on bridge over Arizona lake

Prior to the detonation, Tempe police were seen ordering those gathered go back inside shortly before 8 a.m. They asked residents to shelter in place and to stay away from windows over an intercom.

Glass previously explained that the partial demolition involves putting charges around various parts of the bridge in addition to small incisions which will allow for the most damaged section of the bridge to drop below.