``I'm not too optimistic on it being accidental. I'm leaning toward intentional or negligent,'' said Springfield Township police chief Brian McLaughlin.
The fire, which burned a 3-foot hole through a beam that supports the Knecht's Covered Bridge's walls and roof, was reported around 6:30 a.m. by a man who was crossing the bridge on his way to work. The man extinguished the fire by filling his lunch box with water from Cooks Creek several times and dousing the flames.
There was no damage to the roof or timber siding of the bridge, officials said.
An emergency contractor will be hired to repair the damage and the bridge will be closed until repairs are complete.
Six men were arrested in August for a fire that destroyed all but the deck of Mood's Covered Bridge in East Rockhill on June 22.
Information from: The Intelligencer
