ABC News Channel 9 – LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Tenn. — A brush fire on Lookout Mountain started early Saturday morning, spreading about 5 acres.

“The rail system became fully engulfed, and we had some trouble with the incline system itself, with the truss and all the different components there, with the creosote logs and such,” said Sean Weston, Engine Captain for the National Park Service.

“I was probably 18 months old, and there’s a picture of me with my parents going up the incline, and it was before there was even covers on it, you know. So it’s been going on for a long time, you know, this is like a major piece of the town,” said resident Sharon Bell.

CARTA has closed the popular tourist attraction until further notice.

“It’s going to be a big impact, because people from all over come to Chattanooga, and everybody wants something fun to do. And the incline was one of the main attraction,” said Bell.

CARTA told us they will need to complete comprehensive structural and technical assessments once emergency responders have completed their work in order to assess how long the incline railway will be closed.

The stretch of Tennessee Ave. in St. Elmo where the railway is located has several businesses, but now fewer tourists will be coming through.

“The incline has brought so much commerce and so much traffic to this saint Elmo, and it’s made it a new area, and it’s made it thriving. It’s just been an awesome experience being partnered with them,” said Tim Harris Manager at 1885 Grill.

Tim Harris, manager at 1885 Grill is not too worried about losing business.

“1885 is a staple in the St. Elmo community, and I think that the neighborhood is definitely going to come out and support us at any rate.”

The National Parks Service told us the fire is “human caused” and currently under investigation.

If you have already purchased tickets to ride the incline railway, staff at the railways say tickets are valid for one year from date of purchase or reach out to [email protected].