Arson Suspected in Plainfield Playground Fire

PLAINFIELD, IL — A fire that destroyed thousands of dollars worth of playground equipment at a Plainfield school is being investigated as arson.

Plainfield Fire Chief Dave Riddle said crews were called to the playground at Walker's Grove Elementary School at around 5:55 p.m. Sunday and remained on the scene for less than an hour.

A couple of plastic slides and a climbing wall were destroyed in the blaze, Riddle said.

Evidence at the scene led officers to five juveniles involved with setting the fire, police said. The juveniles involved and their respective parents/guardians have cooperated with the investigators.

District 202 Director of Communications Tom Hernandez said the playground equipment was valued between $30,000 to $35,000 and that insurance will pay for most it.

"(It) will take about a month to replace, although we are going to try to do it sooner," Hernandez said.

The case is still under investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Kevin McQuaid at 815-267-7209.

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