Two 13-year-old boys have been charged with arson in the blaze that incinerated the Project Playground at Twin Lakes Park Monday night.
The Juneau Police Department assisted Capital City Fire/Rescue in the investigation of the fire at the community-built playground, with the loss estimated by those who helped spearhead its construction at $1 million.
Two 13-year-old boys were located and interviewed in connection with the investigation, said JPD Sgt. Chris Gifford in a press release. The two boys were taken to the Johnson Youth Center and charged with second-degree arson, a class B felony, and first-degree criminal mischief, a class A Felony.
Witness reports said the fire spread quickly and then completely engulfed the playground in a matter of minutes.
[Twin Lakes playground engulfed in flames]
Throngs of spectators crowded the area Monday evening, as firefighters knocked down the blaze. The fire began around 5:45 p.m. and was largely extinguished by 6:30 p.m. The fire engines poured water over the playground, which has a rubber ground and many structures that are made out of recycled materials.
The playground appeared almost totally destroyed, but no injuries were reported.
