FIRE bugs have struck at an East Albury playground, leaving the equipment badly damaged.
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Firefighters were called to the play area in Eastern Circuit about 5.40pm on Monday.
Firefighters from the Albury Civic brigade attended and extinguished the flames.
Much of the equipment was left unusable, with plastic items melted to the ground.
Council staff fenced off the area off on Tuesday amid safety concerns.
The cost of the damage is being assessed, but is estimated to be several thousand dollars.
Mayor Kevin Mack said he was “appalled” by the incident.
“This was an attack not only on the ratepayers of Albury who will have to foot the bill but more directly, it was also an attack on local families,” he said.
Cr Mack is hopeful the culprits can be found.
The matter has been reported to police.
He said the community wouldn't stand for it.
“The sight of melted and twisted playground equipment is distressing for mums and dads who simply want a safe place for their children to exercise and have fun, and the mindless vandals who caused the damage should hang their heads in shame,” he said.
Cr Mack is urging anyone who has information on those responsible – no matter how small – to come forward.
“By tracking down the arsonists we can hopefully send a message that we won’t stand for the destruction of community assets, especially those that are enjoyed by children who now no longer have a playground of their own,” he said.
A plastic seat was torched in a play area off Broad Street on July 16.
It was melted and destroyed, with the heat damaging other equipment.
The incident occurred about 11.30pm, and firefighters were called to a Sarvaas Park playground fire about 24 hours later.
A bin had been pushed against a plastic rolling tube and torched.
It was unclear how Monday’s blaze started.
Call (02) 6023 9299 or 1800 333 000 with information.