Neighbours say they heard nothing as a 5 a.m. fire torched the playground at Fr. Gorman Community School on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Some 100 toddlers at the school and neighbourhood kids play at the school’s playground. School officials are tasked with finding alternatives with school opening on Tuesday, Sep. 3.
“We are here to look after kids,” says Nigel McCarthy, director of education with the Lloydminster Catholic School Division. He says they are in discussions with community partners to find an alternate recreation space for the little ones.
Lloydminster fire crews were called to duty to put out the fire. The playground is separated from the school building by a walking path that runs alongside the wall.
“Thanks to the quick efforts by our team, the fire was contained to the playground area and there were no injuries to either our team or bystanders or fire extension past the playground,” says Chief Aaron Buckingham.
Lloydminster RCMP is continuing to investigate.
