Fire Destroys Yet Another Playground in Laurel

Laurel's third playground fire in a week destroyed a set of equpiment at Emancipation Community Park Monday afternoon, officials said.

The blaze, which began shortly before 4:30 p.m., follows the destruction of a playground at Discovery Community Park on March 3 and the arrest of two juveniles Friday night for allegedly burning part of a playground at Granville Gude Park.

According to City of Laurel spokesman Pete Piringer, Laurel firefighters arrived at the park—located at 8th Street and West Street—to find the playground "fully engulfed in flame."

It took crews about 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze, Piringer said. No injuries were reported, but the damage is estimated at $80,000 to $100,000.

Laurel police and Prince George's County fire officials are still investigating the incident.

Laurel Mayor Craig Moe announced Monday that the city would offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of anyone who may be responsible for the fire.

Those with information are urged to call the Laurel Police Department's tip line at 301-498-7645.