An investigation is underway after a suspected arson attack on a play area in Newcastle.
Residents on Beech Grove Road in Elswick awoke on Monday to find that "substantial fire damage" had left their local play area unusable. Firefighters were called out to attend the blaze on Sunday night and when they arrived the playground equipment was "fully ablaze".
Within a short time, the fire was completely put out, though some of the equipment was damaged beyond repair. At some point since the fire, the affected part of the park has had a temporary fence erected around it, and Northumbria Police has since started an investigation into the incident.
Read more: Forensics team launch investigation as police cordon off nature park in Gateshead
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We can confirm on the evening of Sunday 2 nd October an appliance was deployed by our Fire Control team to a primary fire on Beech Grove Road in Elswick, Newcastle. The emergency call was received at 9.10pm and the crew were sent to the playground fire from Newcastle Central Community Fire Station.
"Upon arrival the firefighters were confronted by one of the pieces of playground equipment being fully ablaze. Once the fire was extinguished the crew left the scene at 9.26pm. The suspected arson attack is now being investigated by officers from Northumbria Police, and if any member of the public has information about the fire they can anonymously contact 101 with their details by quoting NP-20221003-0486."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "An investigation has been launched following a report of damage to a play area in Elswick Park, Newcastle. It was reported that at some point between 12pm on Saturday (October 1) and 10.30am on Monday (October 3) offenders started a fire, causing substantial damage to the play equipment.
"Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the 'Tell Us Something' page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20221003-0486."
Read next
-
Newcastle occupational therapist struck off after after having 1.7m indecent images of children
-
Metro security squad to stay for three years after helping slash crime at North Tyneside stations
-
Newcastle shopkeeper caught with potentially deadly fireworks without licence on Bonfire Night
-
Newcastle Snapchat predator who targeted seven girls as young as 12 jailed
-
Gateshead thug struck and attempted to strangle partner in bed as she begged him to stop
