Jan. 31--TURLOCK -- Quick action on the part of a good Samaritan kept a suspicious fire at one of the city's signature structures from getting worse.
Firefighters called to Donnelly Park on Wednesday night found the park's wooden play structure on fire.
The call came in at 9:28 p.m., Fire Chief Tim Lohman said. Firefighters arrived at 9:33 and had the blaze under control within two minutes. A passer-by who saw the fire used a fire extinguisher to contain the flames, Lohman said.
Lohman said damage was estimated at $500. The person who called in the fire reported seeing several people running from the scene toward Pedras Road. Police questioned one person, who was found not to have been involved, and no suspects have been identified, Lohman said.
Keith Humphres, assistant superintendent for parks and buildings for the city of Turlock, was repairing the structure Thursday morning. He said most of the damage was cosmetic, one tower in the tot lot area was affected. That part of the park was cordoned off by yellow tape, but the rest remained open. Lohman said the affected area probably will be closed for a couple of days.
Local Rotary Club members built the massive play structure as a gift to the city's children in 1998.
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