Teen girl charged with arson after Airdrie playground fire

RCMP say a 14-year-old girl is facing charges after a playground in Airdrie, Alta., was set on fire on Thursday evening.

The Airdrie Fire Department was called to A.E. Bowers Elementary School at around 7 p.m. When they arrived, firefighters found the playground engulfed in flames and thick, black smoke coming from the play structure.

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Fire officials told Global News the base of the playground is made of recycled tires that give off toxic smoke when burnt.

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RCMP said no one was injured, but a portion of the playground was completely destroyed.

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The girl, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with arson, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

She has been released from police custody with a court date scheduled for Sept. 19.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Airdrie Fire Department.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200 or contact Crime Stoppers.