Roslindale Playground Fire Intentionally Set

ROSLINDALE (CBS) - A fire that destroyed part of a playground in Roslindale late Monday night was intentionally set, according to investigators.

Firefighters were called to the back of the Charles Sumner Elementary School just before 10 p.m. because the playground equipment was on fire.

"The fire had extended to a tree that was right near it, and through the tree we had power lines," said Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald. "The fire was probably shooting about 20 feet in the air from the playground equipment."

No one was hurt.

Parents were upset to hear that the fire is a case of arson.

"It's part of their school and the community, my daughter was really sad to hear the news so I can't imagine when she sees it," said parent Christie Hidalgo.

School custodian Joel Orchard told WBZ-TV's Anna Meiler Tuesday that there was a smaller arson fire at the school about a month ago. In that incident, someone had set a small fire on the slide.

"I hope we get the people who are doing this," said Orchard.

"It's actually a very sad moment, this is something that we've been working really hard, the school has been working really hard so that we can have a playground for our children, said teacher Jeannette Pizarro.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports