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February 28, 2008 - 1:43AM
Police investigate playground fire
David Biscobing, Tribune
Neighborhood children used to flock to the playground in the Jake's Ranch community in Gilbert, climbing on the play set and whipping down the slides. But now those slides lay in piles of melted plastic, and a chain-link fence and yellow fire-investigation tape is wrapped around the area.
An arsonist torched the playground on Jan. 23. Most of the metal structure still stands, but the bars are rusted and warped, some dangling above the ground.
"It's an eyesore," said Sabrina Langford, a homeowners association board member and resident of the neighborhood. "It's disappointing that there's someone who would do this."
A woman was driving home in the neighborhood, near Williams Field and Lindsay roads, about 4 a.m. when she saw flames and called 911.
A policeman arrived shortly later to find the play set and the surrounding wood chips on fire. The officer tried to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher from his car, but it grew too large.
He had to wait for fire crews to arrive minutes later. Police also searched the area but didn't find anyone.
Officials believe the fire was set intentionally because no electrical source is in the area.
They said that someone ignited the wood chips in the playground.
A half-used book of matches was found next to a nearby light pole.
Investigators have developed leads in the case, Gilbert fire Captain Rob Duggan said.
The community HOA has offered a reward of $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the arsonist. The International Association of Arson Investigators also has offered a reward of $10,000.
The loss is estimated at $36,000. The HOA has settled with the insurance company to build a new playground.
While the community will soon get a new playground, Langford still hopes to catch whoever is responsible to prevent it from happening to other neighborhoods.
Anyone with information should call the Jake's Ranch HOA at (480) 539-1396 and the International Association of Arson Investigators hot line at (800) 352-7766.
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