by tobias cole » July 3, 2026, 8:11 am
Buffalo Fireboat EM Cotter (also known as BFD Engine 20), the oldest operating fireboat in the country, was called into action yesterday to hose down the Michigan Avenue lift bridge on the Buffalo River.
The bridge steel had expanded from the heat, and was not able to be closed to road level. The Buffalo River is currently in passable to ship traffic east of the bridge.
This cuts off service to the Standard Elevator on Childs Street to grain shipments from the mid west.
Work is continuing today to repair the bridge. The Cotter's efforts, while substantial were not successful. Over 3 million gallons of water were poured onto the bridge by the Cotter.
Buffalo Fireboat EM Cotter (also known as BFD Engine 20), the oldest operating fireboat in the country, was called into action yesterday to hose down the Michigan Avenue lift bridge on the Buffalo River.
The bridge steel had expanded from the heat, and was not able to be closed to road level. The Buffalo River is currently in passable to ship traffic east of the bridge.
This cuts off service to the Standard Elevator on Childs Street to grain shipments from the mid west.
Work is continuing today to repair the bridge. The Cotter's efforts, while substantial were not successful. Over 3 million gallons of water were poured onto the bridge by the Cotter.