Fire Destroys Elementary School Playground
The Colorado Springs Fire Department is investigating a suspicious fire at Martinez Elementary School.
The department responded to a call just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a fire department spokeswoman.
Neighbors tell KRDO Newschannel 13 they rushed over to throw water and called 911. A school custodian also saw the fire and called for help.
The slide on the playground was on fire. The flames and heat also destroyed other playground equipment.
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Martinez spent five years raising $30,000 to build the new playground. It was just installed last year.
“We’re just really sad that in a matter of minutes this could happen because of a senseless act,” said Mandi Roehrich, PTA president.
She said the community hosted a build day last summer. Parents, teachers and volunteers came out to put the playground together.
“You can’t help but take it personal when we’ve worked so hard,” said Roehrich.
The school’s principal, Bobbie Long, said the entire community is frustrated.
“If they (persons who caused fire) knew the effort, the money, the time and now the students don’t have a playground at the moment,” said Long.
Martinez Elementary has another playground, but the new one was their favorite, said Long.
The fire department is looking at the school?s surveillance video. The investigation is on-going.
If you have any information about the fire, please call 444-7000.
