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       At least six people have been injured after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, according to city fire and emergency service officials.

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       At least six people have been injured after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, according to city fire and emergency service officials. (Photo courtesy of WTTG) (WTTG )

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       At least six people have been injured after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, according to city fire and emergency service officials. (Photo courtesy of WTTG) (WTTG )

       Fox 5 DC reported that the collapse took place at Route 295 between Kenilworth Avenue and Polk Street NE at around 12 p.m.

       D.C. deputy mayor for public safety, Chris Geldart, told reporters at a briefing Wednesday that a preliminary investigation determined the collapse was caused by a collision at approximately 11:52 a.m. that separated the bridge from its moorings and spurred multiple vehicle crashes.

       Geldart noted that paramedics rushed five victims to nearby hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. Fire and EMS officials determined nobody else was trapped in the debris.

       Initially, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said that there were no structural concerns about the bridge, and Geldart said a February inspection found that the bridge was "structurally sound." However, Geldart later backtracked significantly in a new statement: "Bridge 66 was inspected in February 2021 resulting in a May 25th inspection report giving the bridge a rating of poor condition." He stressed that investigators' findings were preliminary.

       A hazmat unit was dispatched to address a diesel fuel leak from a truck that is partially beneath the bridge. Officials are investigating what role, if any, the truck may have played in the incident.

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       The Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) tweeted that all lanes on DC-295 heading both northbound and southbound are blocked due to the collapse.

       DC-295 is expected to be closed between I-695 and the US-50/MD-295 interchange through at least Thursday while officials investigate the scene and remove the wreckage. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. In addition, officials plan to inspect additional bridges along DC-295.