DATE: July 20, 2017

SUBJECT: Playground Fire

PORT MOODY – On July 17, 2017 at approximately 0035 hours, the Port Moody Police Department was contacted by Port Moody Fire and Rescue due to a fire in the area of the unit-block of Burrard Crescent in Port Moody.

Witnesses observed a large amount of smoke in the area of the wooden playground structure and contacted the fire department.

Port Moody Fire and Rescue members were able to contain and extinguish the fire quickly; however the wooden structure and woodchip ground covering was destroyed. Large trees border two sides of this playground and it is very fortunate that the witness contacted Port Moody Fire and Rescue quickly as significant damage could have resulted.

Witnesses reported seeing several youths playing basketball in the area earlier in the evening. The Port Moody Police Department Major Crime Section is still investigating but there is no indication of arson at this time.

The Port Moody Police Department would like to remind everyone to be extra careful and to discard cigarette butts in appropriate receptacles. Additionally, any kind of open fires are banned in Port Moody due to the hot dry conditions.

Please see https://portmoodypolice.ca/city-port-moody-burning-restriction-place/ for further details of the Port Moody burning restrictions in place.

The Port Moody Police Department is asking anyone with any information in relation to this fire to please contact the Port Moody Police Department at 604-461-3456 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.solvecrime.ca.