A fire that caused $100,000 worth of damage under the south end of the Ballard Bridge late on May 5 was ruled to have been accidentally caused by the cooking fire of transients, Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick said.

The fire started at approximately 11:30 p.m. on a piece of private property in the 4400 block of 15th Ave. N.W. and was completely put out a few minutes after midnight, Fitzpatrick said.

Four small boats, a truck and wooden palettes were involved in the fire, according to the Seattle Fire Department.

The Seattle Department of Transportation closed the Ballard Bridge for two hours after the blaze to check for damage.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Richard Sheriden said no structural damage was found to the bridge.

The fire cause minor cracking in the concrete and paint damage over a 40-foot area, he said.

There was further inspection on the morning of May 6 that will guide bridge repairs, Sheridan said.