Laurel to Rebuild Burned Playground at Discovery Community Park

Update (Monday, March 4):

City of Laurel spokesman Pete Piringer said that "plans are already in motion" to repair the damage from Sunday's fire at Discovery Community Park, which left a playground there almost completely destroyed.

"We intend to rebuild the damaged playground, with the intent to have it ready by summer," Piringer said.

The city is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in setting the fire, which investigators believe was caused by arson.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Laurel Police Department's tip line at 301-498-7645.

Original article (Sunday, March 3):

Fire ripped through a set of playground equipment Sunday afternoon at Laurel's Discovery Community Park, causing extensive damage and sending heavy black smoke into the air.

According to City of Laurel spokesman Pete Piringer, authorities received multiple 911 calls shortly before 4 p.m. from residents reporting smoke coming from the park, which is located at 1030 Harrison Dr.

Firefighters from the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department—as well as units from Montgomery, Anne Arundel, and Howard counties—responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze in 10 to 15 minutes, Piringer said.

No injuries were reported, but Piringer estimated that the fire inflicted $75,000 to $100,000 of damage.

The cause of the blaze, which Piringer described as "suspicious in nature," is still under investigation by Prince George's County fire officials.

The fire is believed to have been intentionally set, according to statement from Laurel Police Department.

The city is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who may have been involved in setting the fire, Piringer said.

Anyone with such information is asked to call the LPD's tip line at 301-498-7645.