A fire which left a much-loved children's play park completely destroyed is being treated as deliberately started, police have said. Avon and Somerset Police are investigating the cause of the blaze which burned up a wooden play area in Mead Park, Stoke Gifford.
Fire crews were called to the fire at around 8.30pm on Saturday, June 17. The fire burned for around an hour, according to Avon Fire and Rescue Service, sending huge flames and thick, dark smoke into the air.
Residents shared their dismay at the fire, which is now being treated as deliberate by police. Local councillors have since shared their hopes to rebuild the park following what some claimed was a "completely pointless act of vandalism".
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Avon Fire and Rescue Service told BristolLive at the time the park was 100 percent damaged by fire and recent photos from the scene show the charred remains of the children's park. Police are appealing to witnesses for information.
Sgt Craig Doyle, from the Neighbourhood Policing team, said: “The fire has badly damaged a much-loved community resource and we’re investigating the circumstances to establish who was responsible for starting it.
“We’d like to speak to any eye-witnesses, as well as anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area of the play park prior to the fire breaking out. If you have relevant mobile phone footage, or any other footage, which would help us identify those responsible, please contact us.
“We’ve increased our patrols in the parks in Stoke Gifford following some recent reports of anti-social behaviour and we’d encourage local residents to continue to report incidents to the Neighbourhood Policing team."
If you have information about the fire, please call officers on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223143028, or contact the force through the website.
Enraged locals took to Facebook to share their dismay at news of the park's destruction. One resident wrote on: "Such a shame. A completely pointless act of vandalism that has now ruined children's fun at this lovely park."
Another said: "I'm so angry. My kids loved this park."
Working to get the park back open and running for residents, local councillors have been working with the Stoke Gifford Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council to explore ideas. 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.”
