8-Year-Old Charged in Aberdeen Playground Fire

An 8-year-old boy has been charged with malicious burning in connection with a fire at an Aberdeen playground, the Office of the State Fire Marshal reported.

The charge stemmed from a fire at North Deen Park on Wednesday afternoon, the fire marshal said.

At 4:48 p.m. on Wednesday, Aberdeen firefighters were called to the park at 300 Center Deen Avenue, where mulch was on fire below playground equipment, according to the fire marshal.

It took firefighters approximately 10 minutes to put out the blaze, the fire marshal reported. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set.

Afterward, the Aberdeen Police Department received a tip that led to the identification of the 8-year-old boy as suspect, the report said.

The boy is accused of setting fire to paper and then mulch below the playground equipment, causing $500 in damage, according to the fire marshal.

He was arrested and charged with second-degree malicious burning and released to his mother pending further action by the Department of Juvenile Services, the report said.