Redland council closes park after claims firebomb torches play area

A second playground has gone up in flames in a suburb which residents say is grappling with a teen crime wave. SEE THE VIDEO

Splotches of melted blue plastic in the Thornlands playground that was burned in an alleged firebomb attack. Pictures: Contributed

Police are investigating claims of a homemade firebomb that demolished a popular children’s playground where residents claim they are battling a youth crime wave.

A number of blasts woke residents of Condamine Cres, Thornlands, in the early hours of Monday morning.

One resident who declined to be named, said the nearby Thornlands Community Park was ablaze at 2.30am when emergency services were called.

Redland council erected barriers and warning signs after a fire ripped through a children’s playground early Monday, September 11. Pictures: contributed

The man said he heard explosions before some colourful plastic play equipment, allegedly costing the council more than $400,000, was melted beyond repair.

The father-of-two said he saw youths fleeing before fire crews and police arrived just after 3am.

Hours later, at 7.30am another explosion took place 1km away at William Stewart Park, which has also been the subject of arson, graffiti and vandalism claims in the past four months.

William Stewart Park was also where a household reported their fence being kicked in during a terrifying ordeal last month.

Redland City Council officers attended the site on Monday, cordoning off the area, where slippery slides and other park infrastructure was burnt and melted from the explosion.

It was the third major fire in the suburb since May when a tobacco shop was torched and a homemade bomb was detonated in a skate park, 1km away.

It is not suggested the fires are connected.

Redland City Council installed cameras at the new community park and the footage is now part of the police investigation.

Councillor Paul Golle, whose electorate covers both parks, has contacted police.

“This it now a crisis as the community is living with immense concern.”

Originally published as Redland council closes park after claims firebomb torches play area