A fire has closed the historic Doube’s Trestle Bridge, a popular spot along the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail between Peterborough and Omemee that is featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Reports of the fire on the decking of the 175-metre bridge, which stands just over 21 metres high over the Buttermilk Valley, were shared on social media on Wednesday afternoon (September 4).
The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association website includes a notice that the bridge, which is also known as Orange Corners Trestle Bridge, is closed and “impassible.”
According to the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, it took multiple fire crews over an hour to bring the fire under control. Several metres of the bridge’s decking were destroyed, and underlying structural beams were also damaged.
The cost of the damage is unknown, as is the cause of the fire. However, Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the fire as possible arson.
The fire comes five years after the original wooden decking of the bridge, which was rotting, was replaced with composite lumber at a cost of $140,000. The project was funded by the National Trans Canada Trail office, private donations, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association supporters, and federal grants.
Doube’s Trestle Bridge was constructed in 1883 for the Midland Railway’s route between Peterborough and Lindsay. Originally made of wood and 1,500 feet long, the central part of the trestle was later converted to a steel bridge with nine spans totalling 572 feet long.
Fire on the Trestle Bridge across from our horse paddock.
Hope everyone is safe.Posted by Janice Minion on Wednesday, September 4, 2024
In 1921, Canadian National Railways took over the route, which was initially used by both passenger and freight trains. Eventually, only freight trains used the route until trains ceased using the route in 1978. The rails were then lifted and the route became the property of the provincial government’s Ontario Realty Corporation.
It was eventually leased to Kawartha Rail Trail as a recreational trail that became the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, and is a popular route for cyclists, hikers, and runners with Doube’s Trestle Bridge being the main attraction with its scenic views.
The bridge has also become an increasingly popular destination for visitors, again because of its scenic views.
Doube’s Trestle Bridge is featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, a sequel to the critically acclaimed mystery comedy-drama television series Monk starring Tony Shalhoub at the titular character — a former San Francisco homicide detective turned private police consultant who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and multiple phobias.
Last May, the film’s production crew and cast were at the bridge to shoot several scenes involving bungee jumping.
In the movie, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Monk comes out of retirement to solve a case involving his stepdaughter’s journalist fiancee.
This developing story will be updated as more details become available.
