@petworthdcnews pic.twitter.com/h5DWPxNyyz
— Mark Bjorge (@MarkBjorge) October 11, 2016
Damage after Tuesday evening's fire at playground by Dorothy Height Elementary School off of 14th Street Northwest.@WTOP pic.twitter.com/vRd7fSvFLm
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) October 12, 2016
WASHINGTON — Several playgrounds near elementary schools have been destroyed by fire in recent weeks, and arson is suspected in at least two of the cases.
The latest case happened Tuesday evening in Northwest, by Upshur Park. The playground near Dorothy I. Height Elementary, at 4300 13th St. NW, went up in flames at around 6:30 p.m., NBC Washington reports.
“I think it makes anybody feel sad that a place meant for enjoyment for children is damaged in this fashion,” said Vito Maggiolo, with the D.C. Fire and EMS Service, in an interview with NBC Washington.
Investigators are still looking for the cause of that fire and have not ruled out arson.
Arson is suspected in two similar cases in Fairfax County, Virginia, this month. NBC Washington reports that on Monday evening, the playground at Greenbriar West Elementary burned, causing more than $16,000 in damage. And on Oct. 2, a fire at the playground at Lees Corner Elementary resulted in $35,000 damage.
“We don’t want to call it arson just yet, but we’re suspecting that,” said Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Willie Bailey .
Anyone with information on the Fairfax County fires is being asked to call the Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office at 703-246-4711 or 703-246-4386. You also can contact Crime Solvers of Fairfax by texting TIP187 plus your message to CRIMES (274637). You don’t have to give Crime Solvers your name.
