RFS Buxton memorial playground vandalised by fire; Geoff Keaton, Andrew O’Dwyer

The vandals responsible for an “abhorrent” attack on a playground built to honour the lives of two RFS firefighters have been issued a stark warning by police – we are coming for you.

The vandals responsible for an “abhorrent” attack on a playground built to honour the lives of two volunteer firefighters have been issued a stark warning by police – we are coming for you.

Camden Police Area Command crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury told the Macarthur Chronicle the names of those allegedly responsible have been “flagged” to police.

“Someone from the community knows who is responsible,” Det Chief Insp. Albury said. “We are calling on people from Buxton to help us with our inquiries. It is likely that this has been committed by someone from this community.”

“The memorial is an extremely significant part of the community. It is deeply troubling that anyone would want to damage any part of the memorial. Please help the police identify and take action against those person or persons responsible.”

Crime scene officers have been to the scene twice canvassing for information and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Camden Police.

by Daniel McGookin and Adelaide Lang @ 11am, July 12

A playground erected to honour volunteer firefighters Geoff Keaton and Andrew Dwyer, who tragically died fighting the Black Summer bushfires in 2019, has been attacked with fire.

The memorial site at Telopea Park, Buxton in Sydney’s southwest, was officially opened in December to pay tribute to the two fathers who were killed when a burnt gum tree fell and crushed the cab of their fire truck.

The play equipment, enjoyed by the pair’s surviving children just months ago, was opened by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in December. At the time, Mr Morrison said he hoped the park would be an uplifting reminder of the pair’s ultimate sacrifice.

Geoffrey Keaton died at Buxton in 2019. Picture: Facebook

RFS firefighter Andrew O'Dwyer. Picture: Facebook

However, on Sunday night pictures surfaced of play equipment on fire.

In a statement on social media, the Buxton Rural Fire Brigade said two fires at the playground were reported by members of the local community within a two-hour period.

Buxton Rural Fire Brigade said the incident was “abhorrent” and they were baffled as to why anyone would want to desecrate the playground memorial to the fallen firefighters.

Award-winning volunteer firefighter Kim Hill, who helped organise the playground tribute to the heroic men, said she was appalled by the “heartbreaking” attacks.

“It’s absolutely disgusting,” she said.

“I can’t get my head around why people would want to do that.”

The memorial playground paying tribute to RFS firefighters Geoff Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer has been vandalised.

The play equipment was set alight. Pictures: Facebook

Ms Hill said it was “beyond comprehension” that someone could attack a memorial to two local heroes which meant so much to their loved ones.

“The hardest thing for me was to tell the families,” she said.

“They’re extremely upset. They can’t think of why people would do this.”

Damage has been done to playground equipment and to the screens near the bathrooms, which had been displaying Covid information.

Wollondilly councillor Matthew Deeth posted on social media of his “shock” and “sadness” of vandalism.

“It sickens me to think that there are those in our community that would want to harm something that was so important to our community after the fires,” he said.

“I cannot understand why someone would want to destroy something that brought hope to so many.

The memorial to two RFS firefighters in Buxton has been burned by vandals.

“This is certainly a kick in the guts to not just the Rural Fire Service but our whole community.”

Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith said the current Covid-19 lockdown indicated the “delinquent ratbags” responsible were likely local residents.

He told The Macarthur Chronicle residents have been very frustrated with the lockdown and the lack of clarity about the status of the region.

A police investigation is underway into the damage to the playground. Anyone who may have any information is urged to report to Narellan Police Station.