A suspect in Thursday’s fire that caused a bridge on I-85 to collapse is now charged with arson.
Bond was set at $200,000 Saturday for 40-year old Basil Eleby, one of three people charged in connection with the fire. According to WSB-TV, the arrest affidavit states the couple with him saw Eleby “place a chair on top of a shopping cart, reach under the shopping cart and ignite it.” In addition to arson, Eleby also is charged with first degree criminal damage to property. The two other suspects are charged with criminal trespass.
Eleby’s next scheduled court appearance is April 14.
Arrest affidavit states couple w/ him saw Basil Eleby “place chair on top of a shopping cart, reach under the shopping cart and ignite it.” pic.twitter.com/nOhQXcV7qT
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) April 1, 2017
The fire broke out in a Georgia Department of Transportation storage area located under I-85 near Piedmont Road in midtown Atlanta. The fire was so intense it caused a bridge to collapse and severely damaged a section of interstate in both directions. Approximately 350 feet of the northbound and 350 of the southbound lanes will have to be removed and replaced.
Will take “several months” to rebuild
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry, along with state and local officials, briefed the public on developments Friday. He expressed his gratitude to the first responders who kept the public safe and prevented a terrible situation from being far worse.
“I’d like to express our thanks and gratitude to the motoring public, who listened to the information we distributed overnight and changed their commute patterns this morning to take the pressure off of the metro roadways,” the commissioner said. “I thank the people of Atlanta for their resilience and the exceptional efforts taken to find alternative routes, adjust schedules and use transit to help ease congestion around this site.”
READ: DOT latest update
McMurry stressed that the Department is still in the assessment phase, and it will take several months of construction for the roadway to reopen to traffic.
Meanwhile, transportation officials urge travelers to plan their travel in advance, and consider options like transit, alternative routes, flex scheduling and work from home, if possible.
For updates and detour maps, visit the Georgia DOT online at www.dot.ga.gov, on Facebook and through Georgia 511.
Updated 4/1/17 @3:45pm
