Hogback Bridge Fired

[WGN 15-61-04]

 

September 7, 2003, WINTERSET, Iowa - A third historic covered bridge has been set on fire by an arsonist.

The Hogback Bridge near Winterset in Madison County was not severely damaged thanks to a passer-by who saw smoke and threw water on the flames.

The fire was spotted at 5:45 p.m. Saturday. Sheriff's Deputy Craig Dusch said only about one square foot of the bridge was damaged.

The Hogback Bridge is one of the famed bridges featured in Robert Waller's "The Bridges of Madison County."

It is the third wooden covered bridge in a year to be set on fire. The Delta covered bridge [15-54-01] near Delta in Keokuk County was destroyed in a fire last Thursday. That fire was set by an arsonist on the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the Cedar Bridge in Madison County.

Officials in Keokuk and Madison counties said they plan to meet this week to compare the fires to see if there are connections. Details are athttp://www.theiowachannel.com/.