Windsor police say an “intentionally set” playground fire in Parent Park caused $200,000 in damage. It happened Thursday night around 11 p.m. at ‘Biba Playground’ in Parent Park, at the corner of Parent Avenue and Vimy Avenue. Windsor Fire and Rescue Services attended the scene and extinguished the blaze. By that time, the playground equipment was fully engulfed in flames and had sustained significant damage. Members of the Windsor Police Arson Unit have determined the fire was intentionally set using a petroleum-based accelerant. Police say no injuries were reported. Investigators are asking residents and business owners in the immediate area to review their surveillance or dashcam footage between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on July 2 for evidence that may assist the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Windsor Police Arson Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4330. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com. The playground includes four pieces of play equipment on rubberized flooring. It appears three pieces were damaged, and as of Friday morning, the three pieces were taped off with caution tape. Witness describes fire Talia Djarmotsky lives directly behind the park and saw the fire. “I was going to bed, and in the front of our house there’s a tree, and I started noticing an orange glow, and I thought, ‘Oh crap, our roof is on fire or something.’ Then I went outside, and nothing but I smelled something burning. I started walking back this way and thought our living room was on fire and realized it was actually the park and it was a blaze,” says Djarmotsky. Djarmotsky says it’s disappointing for the neighbourhood. “It is because, like, where the hell are the kids going to go now to play?” says Djarmotsky. “Like, I know there’s the park down there and all that, but the kids in this area...” Vandalism concerns Ward 4 Councillor Mark McKenzie represents the area and says vandalism in city parks has been a huge problem this year. “The numbers just keep on climbing for the cost that it is to replace these things, and now we have a playground that’s gone up, and these things go up pretty quick, unfortunately, because of that rubberized ground to make it safe for the kids,” says McKenzie. “That’s a good thing that we have that rubberized ground, but the problem is that the minute those things like on fire, within seconds it just engulfs the entire thing.” He says it’s disappointing. “It doesn’t look good, and there’s actually a new condo development right behind there as well,” he says. “The former school was converted into residential, and it’s just so disappointing to see things like this.” McKenzie feels park vandalism is getting worse. “It’s just disappointing, and it’s another expense that the city doesn’t expect,” says McKenzie. “Definitely need to start cracking down on this vandalism in our parks because it’s getting out of control.” Last month, the Ward 4 Councillor said the city has been noticing an increase in park vandalism. At that time, he talked about park vandalism at Lanspeary Park after the washrooms were vandalized.
