Elmira's Clemens Center Parkway bridge partially closed after blaze. What we know.

Motorists in the City of Elmira who want to cross from the Southside to the Northside will have to avoid one of the major spans in the city for now.

The northbound lane of the Clemens Center Parkway Bridge, which carries the parkway across the Chemung River, is temporarily closed after a large fire erupted under the bridge Thursday afternoon.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene around 2:48 p.m. Thursday and observed a large blaze underneath the north end of the bridge, according to the Elmira Police Department.

A large pile of charred trash was visible under the bridge Friday, and officials confirmed the area had been the site of a homeless encampment. Charring was also visible along the sides of the bridge structure.

The flames were quickly doused by units from the Elmira Fire Department.

As a result of the fire, the northbound lane of the bridge will remain closed until further notice while the state Department of Transportation completes an assessment of damages. The southbound lane remains open.

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DOT representatives who were on-site Friday morning said they don't know yet how long the northbound lane might have to remain closed to traffic.

In the meantime, motorists can use the other spans in the city that cross the river, including the Madison Avenue, Main Street and Walnut Street bridges.

There are also alternate routes set up for truck traffic. More information is available on the city's website at cityofelmira.net. Details of underpass clearances can be found at cityofelmira.net/260/Underpass-Clearances.

The City of Elmira Department of Public Works assisted police and firefighters on the scene of Thursday's blaze.

The fire remains under investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Elmira Police Department at 607-737-5626, or anonymously at 607-271-HALT, or via OPERATION HALT on the city's website.

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