12-Year-Old Charged in Columbia Playground Arson: Police

COLUMBIA, MD – A 12-year-old has been charged in connection with the fire that burned playground equipment at Dickinson Park over the weekend, according to the Howard County Police Department.

Related:

• Playground Fire Draws Investigator to Columbia
• After Playground Fire, Part of Dickinson Park Closed

At 3:33 p.m. on Sunday, police and fire personnel responded to Dickinson Park in the 7500 block of Weather Worn Way, where a playground was reportedly on fire, officials said.

Investigators identified a 12-year-old boy who was at the scene as the suspect and charged him with malicious destruction of property, police reported.

Damage was estimated to be $10,000, according to Jackie Kotei, spokeswoman for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Kotei told Patch the fire investigator determined the blaze was intentionally set.

Part of Dickinson Park will be closed until further notice, county officials reported on Monday.

Photo Credit: Howard County Government.