WOODBRIDGE — Police and fire officials are continuing to investigate what municipal officials are calling “suspected arson” that destroyed a significant portion of the boundless playground equipment at the Matthew Jago Elementary School No. 28 in the Sewaren section of the township, according to Mayor John E. McCormac and Police Director Robert Hubner.
A neighborhood resident called 911 after spotting the fire at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 1, according to officials. The Port Reading Fire Department responded to the scene and found a large section of playground equipment fully engulfed in flames. Officials said the fire was under control by 6:30 p.m.
The Woodbridge Police Department, with assistance from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, is conducting the investigation. As of press time, the focus was on suspected arson, McCormac said.
The mayor assessed the damage at the playground on Aug. 2.
“The fire destroyed a significant portion of the $250,000 playground, which was installed at the school in 2008,” he said. “I am confident the Woodbridge Police Department Detective Division will track down and arrest those responsible for this senseless fire that destroyed a playground and endangered an entire community.”
The boundless playground was constructed in August 2008 with a $250,000 Open Space Grant from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
A boundless playground is a fully accessible playground designed to provide handicapped and challenged youngsters of all ages with skills and experience with many and varied play events, according to the statement.
The custom-designed playground includes more than 60 challenging pieces of equipment — all handicapped-accessible — including wheelchair access ramps, swings, platforms and seats; monster sliding boards; tube slides; tree, snake, coil and centipede climbing ladders; a crazy maze adventure area; benches and tables.
And, Matthew Jago School is home to Camp P.A.C.E. (Parents’ Organization Program for the Advancement of Children’s Education), which serves autistic and challenged youngsters.
The Woodbridge Police Department has established an anonymous tip line; individuals who have information about the fire are asked to call police at 732-634-7700. All information will remain confidential, police said.
