Arson suspected in fire that damaged small playground in east-end Toronto

Toronto fire officials say arson is suspected in an east-end Toronto park fire that has left local families without a playground.

The fire broke out around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday night at the Ontario Street Parkette playground in Cabbagetown. Images from the scene show the slide and rope ladder burnt along with other parts of the equipment.

Capt. David Eckerman with Toronto Fire Services said the fire caused an estimated $10,000 damage.

He said arson is suspected, but that the it’s up to police to decide whether it warrants an arson investigation.

A Toronto police spokesperson could not be immediately reached.

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Local mother Bobi Emery said she took her young daughter to the park every day, enjoying equipment that was fully refurbished just four years ago.

That victory that took five whole years of lobbying — but was undone in under an hour.

“It’s kind of disappointing and devastating. It’s really hard to tell a 3 year old stuff like this.”

Emery said she’ll have to take her daughter to another playground and miss out on seeing neighbourhood families.

Local Coun. Pam McConnell said the city is looking to either repair the damage or have the playground equipment replaced.

“If it isn’t safe let’s get it down and let’s get it right away on order, and it will be here as quickly as we can possibly make it.”