Fairground Street Bridge fire result of unauthorized burn

What was supposed to be a controlled burn had several units from the Vicksburg Fire Department responding Thursday to the Fairground Street Bridge.

“It seemed like we had a significant fire,” said Fire Chief Craig Danczyk. “What we did have was an unauthorized burning.”

A business was burning pallets without an OK from the city, the chief said.

Under Vicksburg municipal code, a permit is required to burn materials. Residents or businesses should call the VFD at 601-636-1603 to ensure the fire department and the public are notified and that the burn is effectively managed. The department will send a representative to your location to inspect the area and the materials to be burned.

In the burn Thursday, the trellis work on the old wooden Fairground Street Bridge caught fire, requiring a quick response from the fire department and a lot of water.

“It is a little unstable,” Danczyk said, adding, “I’m very thankful it is not worse than it is.”

The chief warned that during the hot and dry late summer months, there is always the chance of a fire quickly spreading out of control.

He reiterated that if people want to burn, they should call the fire department first.

“We’ll come to you,” Danczyk said. “That way, everything is just safer.

See our live interview at the scene with Chief Danczyk on our Facebook page.