MARGARET River police are investigating a fire which damaged playground equipment located on Halcyon Crescent in Margaret River.
Around 11:35pm on Thursday 25 February 2016, police conducting patrols of the area noticed that at least half of the play equipment was on fire.
The officers grabbed a hose from a neighbouring property and began to douse the fire.
DFES officers arrived a short time later and extinguished the fire.
Damage to the playground equipment is estimated at approximately $60,000.
The fire is believed to have been deliberately lit and police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area around 11pm who may have seen any suspicious person(s) or vehicles.
Shire of Augusta Margaret River Works Manager Craig Young said he was bitterly disappointed to awake this morning to news of the fire, which resulted in the total loss of the main play structure and overhanging shade sail.
“It’s astounding to me that someone, or several people, would deliberate try to burn down a playground,” he said.
“This was a fantastic facility in a beautiful part of the neighbourhood that was popularly enjoyed by children of various ages.
“It’s a big loss for the families living in the surrounding area and comes at a sizable replacement cost.”
Mr Young said with equipment normally made to order it could be at least three months before new infrastructure was installed.
“It’s a mess of melted plastic, fabric and steel and the remains of the structure are not safe for climbing on,” he said.
“Any families in the area looking to use an alternative playground while repairs are underway may like to visit the nearby Farmhouse Park.”
Resident James Bunting, whose house fronts the park told the Mail the fire was pretty obviously deliberately lit.
"There's no way that much playground equipment would go up that quickly without some sort of assistance," he said.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au
There are significant rewards on offer for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist.