Sisters Charged In Joppa Playground Arson: Fire Marshal

JOPPA, MD — Two juveniles have been charged in connection with the arson at a Joppa playground Wednesday, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Two sisters — one 12 and the other 13 years old — were charged with first-degree malicious burning and related offenses. They were returned to the custody of their parents, and the case was forwarded to the Department of Juvenile Services, officials said.

Approximately $1,000 worth of playground equipment was destroyed in the blaze, which a neighbor discovered Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters responded at 3:11 p.m. to the 200 block of Chell Road and extinguished the fire by 4:12 p.m., according to the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.

"Investigators worked throughout the evening and this morning were contacted by the juveniles' parents, who believed their daughters were possibly involved," the fire marshal said in a statement Thursday. "Deputy State Fire Marshals made contact with juveniles, and they admitted they were at the playground prior to the fire and had set a notebook on fire on or near the sliding board and left the area."

The fire marshal said the property was considered a total loss.

Harford County Parks and Recreation owns and manages the playground.

Video by Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company. Photo by Steve Zee, courtesy of Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.

Image via Shutterstock.