Juveniles Allegedly Set Fire To Playground

The Sullivan Elementary School playground surface was allegedly targeted by three juveniles on Monday, April 26, around 5:03 p.m.

The fire brought heavy black smoke thick into the air in downtown Sullivan and had initial callers reporting to Sullivan Police that they thought the school facility was on fire in the 100 block of West Washington. 

Law enforcement and firefighters quickly learned it was the playground rubber surface that was on fire.

The surface was being fanned by strong winds from the south, which helped spread the fire quickly and brought about the heavy black smoke.

Sullivan Fire Chief Eric Lewis reported that a pumper truck and a brush unit arrived at the school and extinguished the fire but not before it caused an estimated $8,000 in damage to the playground material and equipment.

Sullivan Police Lt. Patrick Johnson reported this week that juveniles had been identified via video from the school and interviews to be allegedly responsible for the fire and damage.

Although the juveniles will likely find some punishment in the juvenile system, parents of the juveniles can be held liable for the expense of replacing the damages, Johnson said.

Police did not release further details on the matter due to the suspects being juveniles.