Firebugs destroy Morinville playground

Above a portion of the playground equipment at Grandin Heights Park after it was destroyed by fire Thursday night.
– Submitted Photo

by Morinville News Staff

Morinville Fire Department and RCMP were called to Grandin Heights Park Thursday night around 7:30 p.m. to find a major piece of playground equipment had been destroyed by fire.

An alert resident called fire and police after her sons spotted smoke in the park from their back window.

“There was smoke coming out of the end of the tunnel and a pile of leaves burning inside,” the resident told Morinville News. “The wind fed the fire, so it got hot enough to melt through the tunnel. Our park is ruined.”

Unfortunately, the resident and her children did not witness anyone setting the blaze.

Corporal Sheldon Robb with the Morinville RCMP Detachment said police took two witness statements from the incident and that the investigation continues.

The destruction of the playground equipment marks the second major incident of vandalism in April. The community awoke Apr. 4 to find St. Jean Baptiste Church, the post office and other buildings and vehicles had been vandalized overnight.

Police say the investigation into those incidents is ongoing and that RCMP are following up on some potential leads.

With better weather at hand, Robb and his fellow RCMP members are encouraging residents to be vigilant and lend a hand to the police.

“We always want the citizens to be part of the solution. And part of the solution is being an extra set of eyes and ears out there to call and report any suspicious activity,” Robb said. “Without it, it makes our job a lot harder. Cooperation from the general public, whoever it might be, does assist police in solving crime. We encourage citizens to call in any suspicious activity.”

Anyone with info on this or other crimes can call the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4520.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email