Local councillors are currently fighting to rebuild a play park in Stoke Gifford which was completely destroyed by a fire on Saturday, June 17. Cllrs Neel DasGupta and Keith Cranney, who are Stoke Gifford's Conservative members of South Gloucestershire Council, are urging local authorities to "do all they possibly can to ensure the Mead Park children's play area is rebuilt and reopened as quickly as possible".
The play park, which is a much loved and popular spot for families with children to visit, caught fire at around 8:30pm on Saturday (June 17). Local residents filmed the blaze, which completely engulfed the park's play equipment and sent a cloud of thick, black smoke into the sky, and shared their sadness and anger on social media.
Many blamed a group of local teenagers believed to have purposely started the fire. Locals said whoever was responsible had "ruined children's fun" with "a completely pointless act of vandalism".
Read more: Huge fire completely destroys Stoke Gifford children's play park
Avon Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the cause of the fire is "thought to have been deliberate ignition" though did not specify who was believed to have started the fire. In a full statement, the fire service said: "We were called to reports of a fire at 8:30pm on June 17.
"Crews from Southmead, Temple and Patchway responded and found a wooden play area well alight. With one firefighter wearing breathing apparatus, crews used two high pressure hose reels and one 45mm jet to extinguish the fire.
"Also in use was a triple extension ladder, small gear and thermal imaging cameras. Crews spent further time damping down the area. The cause of the incident is thought to have been deliberate ignition."
In a bid to get the popular play area back open and useable for its visitors, the aforementioned councillors have been working with the Stoke Gifford Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council to explore options. At a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council's new Labour-Liberal Democrat Cabinet earlier this week, Neel DasGupta formally appealed to the administration for help, citing upset from local residents that their play park had been lost.
The Labour Cabinet member responded to say she was unaware of the incident and was unable to provide the assurance that Neel DasGupta had sought. However, both he and Keith Cranney have vowed to continue to campaign to get the park reopened as quickly as possible.
Neel DasGupta said: "It’s very sad that this popular play park was destroyed by a devastating fire at the weekend and I’m keen to see our local authorities commit to rebuild and reopen it quickly. I have already spoken to a number of residents who have expressed their upset at losing the play park and I’m determined to do all I can to get it back into use.
“Facilities such as play parks are hugely important in order to ensure children have safe areas to play.”
