The equipment in the Jesse Davidson Park playground in southwest London is the latest to have been torched by suspected vandals.
Emergency crews responded to the fire shortly after 4 a.m. Wednesday and quickly put out the blaze, however as of 8 a.m. smoke could still be seen coming off a staircase on the playground set in Westmount.
Half the set was destroyed, with much of the wood floors burned out and plastic slides melted away, and police say the extensive damage means the playground has to be taken down.
Police have begun an investigation into the fire, which has been deemed suspicious, but have not said if there are any suspects at this time.
London police Const. Ken Steeves says, "There is concern with any fire - not just the financial aspect, but the safety aspect to neighbours and those passing by."
Investigators are looking into the possibility that this incident is related to two other playground fires over the last few weeks.
On July 12, residents discovered a burned out playground set at Arthur Ford Park, just minutes away from Jesse Davidson Park. So far no arrests have been made.
And on July 31, a resident called 911 after playground equipment at St. Jude Separate School was set on fire.
Damage in the first fire is estimated at about $25,000, while in the second fire damage is estimated at $1,000.
All three parks are located on Viscount Road, and as a result, investigators say they are considering the possibility that the arsons are all connected.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
