Suspicious fire at Haw River overpass sparks investigation

A fire damaged the Stone Street overpass in Haw River late Monday night, and the Haw River Fire Department is investigating it as suspicious. Haw River Fire Chief Garrett Lewis said the blaze began at 10:30 p.m. on the span that crosses the train tracks, and firefighters were able to stop it before it spread farther.

The damage is raising immediate questions for drivers who use Stone Street and for anyone who depends on that crossing to move through central Haw River. An overpass over active train tracks is a critical piece of local infrastructure, and even a fire that is quickly contained can leave behind repairs, inspection work and safety concerns that linger after the flames are out.

WFMY News 2 described the incident as a suspicious fire that damaged a bridge overpass in Haw River and said no one was hurt. A FOX8 WGHP social post said the fire caused extensive damage to the bridge. The available reporting does not say whether the overpass remains open, but the extent of the damage makes the structure a focus for both investigators and any agency responsible for the crossing.

For Alamance County, the stakes go beyond one night’s fire call. Stone Street is part of the daily traffic pattern in Haw River, and the overpass sits over the train tracks that run through town. If the structure needs a detailed engineering review or repairs, the cost and timing could affect public resources and local travel, especially if crews determine the span cannot safely carry normal traffic without work.

Investigators have not publicly identified who set the fire or why. That unanswered question is now central to the case, along with whether the blaze was an isolated act or part of a broader threat to public property in Haw River. For now, officials are left protecting the scene, documenting the damage and trying to keep a fire on a local overpass from becoming a longer disruption for the town.