WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) -- People are getting suspicious as one landmark after another featured in the movie ``The Bridges of Madison County'' are damaged or destroyed by fire.
The farmhouse featured in the movie was damaged Monday morning by a fire that officials later said was arson.
One of the wood bridges featured in 1992 novel and a movie of the same name was destroyed in 2002. Another bridge was damaged last month.
Norwalk Fire Chief Tom Fleming, whose department was among four called to the blaze, said at a news conference at the home late Monday that the fire was arson.
``There's still another step to determine if it's related to the bridges,'' Fleming said.
Madison County Sheriff Paul Welch said the connection between the bridges and the house, and the timing of the fire days before the annual Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, heightens his concern that the tourist attractions connected with the book and movie are being targeted.
``It's very unfortunate and I suppose you could use that as an indicator, with the festival coming up and this is part of the scenario also,'' Welch said. ``This is all part of the movie and it's very concerning,'' Welch said.
Welch said it's only speculation to say whether Monday's fire was connected with the recent bridge fires. He said there were no suspects no real leads.
The 2 1/2-story wood-framed farmhouse, built in the 1800s, sits in the countryside 10 miles northwest of Winterset, which is 30 miles southwest of Des Moines. It is known as Francesca's house because it was used in the 1995 movie as the home of lead character Francesca Johnson.
The movie was based on Robert Waller's 1992 best-selling novel that featured central Iowa's covered bridges as the focal point for a romantic relationship between a woman and professional photographer Robert Kincaid.
Clint Eastwood produced, directed and starred in the movie. Meryl Streep played Johnson.
The fire was reported shortly before 7 a.m. and flames were out just over an hour later.
The northwest corner of the house was extensively damaged, Fleming said.
Fire had burned through the interior and exterior walls and burned from the basement through both stories and into the attic, he said.
Inside the home, a gift shop selling movie memorabilia had smoke damage. The house remains decorated with many of the movie props used in filming.
The owner of the house, Barb Bell, said she feels a big loss.
``I couldn't believe somebody has done something like this again,'' she said. ``It's a hard day.''
Gov. Tom Vilsack called the fire disheartening and pledged support for law enforcement to catch the person responsible if it is determined to be arson.
``If it is determined that today's fire was a case of arson related to other recent arson fires in the area, we will redouble our efforts to find the person or people responsible for this despicable act,'' Vilsack said.
Firefighters from several area departments responded.
The house had been abandoned for nearly 35 years but was extensively renovated for the movie. It is open for tours daily March through October.
Welch said no leads have developed in the arson fires that damaged two of the bridges featured in the novel.
The Hogback Bridge sustained only minimal damage Sept. 6 after a passer-by noticed smoke and extinguished a fire. Cedar Bridge in Madison County was destroyed on Sept. 3, 2002. Both fires were declared arson by fire investigators.
``I think it's causing quite a bit of concern around here. It's something that can't be replaced,'' said Ron Waugh, who lives a mile east of the house. ``I just don't understand why people have to destroy something like that.''
The covered bridges celebration is scheduled for this weekend.
Madison County Chamber of Commerce executive Chris Nolte said the festival will go on as planned despite the extensive damage to the house.
``I think it's something we can recover from. It saddens us that this happened because we do have a lot of people that come here and as part of their visit to Madison County they do tour Francesca's home,'' he said. ``Our staff has been working hard to put on a great festival for the public and we will continue to have a great weekend.''
On the Net: Madison County Covered Bridge Festival: http://www.madisoncounty.com/bridge_fest.html
