A fire underneath New Jersey’s historic Pulaski Skyway has been contained with no apparent structural damage to the aging span.

The fire was on the base of a bridge pillar. Flames engulfed wooden supports that provide a buffer around the base and sent smoke billowing over the span connecting Newark and Jersey City.

A spokesman for the state Department of Transportation says sparks created by welding activity on the bridge deck above are believed to have started the fire in dead grass and debris surrounding the bridge pillar.

Transportation spokesman Steve Schapiro says the bridge wasn’t damaged.

The 82-year-old bridge is undergoing a two-year, $1 billion upgrade that requires the detouring of inbound traffic.

(AP)