Vermont Police Say Snowmobile Fire Ignites Covered Bridge

A fire that started in a snowmobile spread to a 111-year-old covered bridge, collapsing the structure into the Missisquoi River in the town of Troy, police said.

The fire was reported around 11 a.m. Saturday after a group of snowmobilers had been crossing the bridge when one of the snowmobiles broke down.

The operator noticed there was fire coming from the snowmobile and attempted to put out the fire by throwing snow on it.

The fire continued to grow out of control until it eventually caught the wood frame of the bridge. The bridge then collapsed into the river.

The bridge is no longer usable; it will have to be removed by heavy equipment.