BLACKDUCK, Minn.-Authorities have identified three juvenile suspects they say are responsible for burning a large portion of a historic, 113-year-old trestle bridge here.
About 200 feet of the 701-foot railroad trestle bridge in Blackduck burned April 13 in a fire that investigation revealed had been set intentionally. The bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is believed to be the longest of its type still standing in Minnesota.
Blackduck Police Chief John Wilkinson said Wednesday that authorities had identified three juvenile suspects from Blackduck in the case, who told them they didn't mean to burn the bridge itself.
A "concerned citizen" came forward to help investigators with the case, Wilkinson said.
"We're definitely happy," Wilkinson said. "We don't want ... this high profile of case to be something that doesn't get solved and ends up just sitting there for a long period of time. It's a really great feeling to get it solved and wrapped up."
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The three suspects weren't arrested - rather authorities simply turned over a request for complaint to prosecutors, he said.
There could be criminal charges in the incident, but any possible charges are at the discretion of the Beltrami County Attorney's Office, Wilkinson said.
Attempts to reach Assistant County Attorney Katie Nolting, who handles juvenile cases, were unsuccessful.
