Arson suspected after North York school playground set on fire
Posted October 6, 2017 9:05 am.
Last Updated October 6, 2017 11:28 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto police are asking for the public’s help after a playground in North York was set on fire.
Just before 2 a.m. on Friday, emergency crews were called to Norman Ingram Public School, in the Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East area.
When they arrived on scene, emergency responders found the playground at the rear of the school was on fire.
Friday was a professional development day for the kids who attend the school, however students accompanied by their parents still visited on their day off to see what’s left of their playground.
It’s not the news they wanted to hear on their thanksgiving long weekend.
“It’s really upsetting, I have so many memories here, to see it all gone and burnt down is upsetting” says Nicole, a grade 5 student.
As for parents, they are also disappointed to see something like this happen to what they call an integral part of their community.
“I’ve seen similar incidents where they’ve burnt down benches and gazebos” says Steve Sherman.
“It happens, kids come here, they party, they leave beer cans and they set fire to things.”
The Toronto District School Board still hasn’t estimated the cost of the damage. Their goal is to restore things back to normal.
“The school has communicated with parent council, communicated with the rest of the parent community,” said TDSB spokesperson Shari Schwartz-Maltz. “We will make sure this is rebuilt asap.”
As for the kids, they have a message for whoever did this.
“I think they should think about what they do,” says Cole. “How would they like it if someone burnt their stuff?”
Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen or heard suspicious activity between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. to contact police – as this area is sparsely travelled by pedestrians and traffic at that hour.
As well, any residents in the area with security footage are asked to review their recordings during the above time period for suspicious activity or vehicles.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3300.
An area resident captured a video of the blaze. Watch below.
