An area resident reported the fire at the Marion County park at about 4:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the roof had already collapsed and the structure was engulfed in flames, said Dave Fox, chief of the Winfield District Volunteer Fire Department.
``We can't see where anything caused it that was accidental,'' Fox said.
Fox estimated the structure's size as 70 feet by 70 feet.
``It's frustrating. Why in the world would anyone do that, if that's what it turns out to be,'' said J.R. Pope, chief of the Division of Natural Resources' parks and recreation section.
The Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation, which operates the park's attractions for the DNR, was in the process of converting the building into a new visitor's center, said foundation director Melissa Dobbins. She estimated the building's value at about $75,000.
``It's a little difficult to put a price on it. ... We used old logs that are very difficult to come by,'' Dobbins said.
Dobbins said the structure was built 10 years ago but later was closed because of structural problems. The foundation spent a year repairing and renovating the building and reopened it earlier this year.
``The loss to the park is not only to the current structure but also part of a larger plan to create a new visitor center for the park. ... We had just met our goal for fund-raising to add to the building and enlarge it,'' she said.
Pope said the foundation had ``just turned it into a great facility.''
``Obviously it's a loss to us because of the building, but it's also a loss to them,'' Pope said.
Fox said the state fire marshal's office was investigating.
