May 01--FORT WORTH -- An "intentionally set" fire torched about $90,000 worth of playground equipment Wednesday morning at Wedgwood Park in southwest Fort Worth, authorities said.
Fire investigators have identified several juveniles who were seen at the park and they are considered "persons of interest," said Engineer Tim Hardeman, a fire department spokesman.
Firefighters were called at 9:24 a.m. to a grass fire at Bruce Shulkey Elementary School, 5309 Winifred Drive, which is next to the park.
"Fire crews arrived on scene to find the playground equipment fully involved with fire," Hardeman said in a news release. "The fire was putting off a large column of black smoke, which was attributed to the plastic parts of the burning equipment."
After dousing the flames, firefighters determined they were "intentionally set," Hardeman said.
No injuries were reported, but a representative of Fort Worth parks department has estimated the playground equipment was worth about $90,000, Hardeman said.
"Several juveniles were seen in the park at the time of the fire and fire investigators know their identities," Hardeman said.
"They will be contacted by investigators."
Bill Miller, 817-390-7684 Twitter: @Bill_MillerST
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