UPDATE: Century-old Porcupine Plain train bridge goes up in flames

A near century-old train bridge near Porcupine Plain is no more after a fire consumed the historic monument Friday afternoon.

According to RCMP, a nearby homeowner started a grass fire, but it got out of control and spread to the bridge. The bridge is being called a “total loss”.

Brian Foster wants people to know his intentions were good. He says he was burning grass to clear the walking and ski trails on his property when the fire got away from him.

“There was some grass and willows surrounded by snow that could be safely burnt. I burnt it and it went very well. Then I thought, hey, I’ll go over and do the tall grass on the ski trail and that didn’t go quite so well.”

Foster said after the story got out in the media he said a lot of people were quick to pass judgment. He wants everyone to know the fire was an accident and he feels bad it happened.

“It’s totally understandable that whenever something the public enjoys is destroyed our knee jerk is to say we’d like to put them in jail and throw away the key.”

 “I just wished I had got it out a little quicker that it was an accident because I think people sometimes jump to conclusions.”

Foster said he contacted the RCMP and CN Rail to take responsibility for the fire. So far, no charges had been laid, though police said they were still investigating.