Interviews Made in Playground Fire

Fire investigators said Monday that they have spoken with possible suspects in the early morning fire that destroyed some play equipment Friday at Circle View Elementary School.

Principal Bonnie Lytle said she was confident officials would find out who started the blaze, which melted a portion of one of two new play structures set up last year after children and parents worked three years selling cookie dough, gift wrap and hosting other fund-raisers for the $65,000 to buy them.

Children were heartbroken as they returned to class from the holidays and saw the roped-off play area, Lytle said. Today, they will be allowed back on the remaining part of the structure, which has been repaired.

The 2 a.m. fire caused about $15,000 in damage to three slides and a rock-like climbing platform. Lytle said replacement parts, covered by insurance, have been ordered and should arrive in about six weeks.

Meanwhile, fire officials have not said what caused the blaze, but added that an accelerant may have been used.

“Typically, that type of equipment isn’t going to ignite from just a match or cigarette lighter,” fire investigator Gary Durian said.

The school is offering an unspecified reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for the fire. Anyone with information is asked to call the Huntington Beach Fire Department at (714) 536-5411.