RICHMOND, Va. – Officials said the fire at a playground at G.H. Reid Elementary School Tuesday afternoon caused an estimated $150,000 in damages.
Fire crews responded to the school at 1301 Whitehead Road around 4:45 p.m. The fire was marked under control after 5 p.m.
Video showed black smoke billowing from the playground.
Investigators said the fire started in the matting beneath the playground equipment, but it is still unclear what sparked the blaze.
The school system said this loss comes at the worst possible time.
“It’s unfortunate that now this playground will be closed. It's unfortunate that now with budget situation this is an unexpected expenditure," RPS Assistant Superintendent Of Support Services Tommy Kranz said.
This playground was installed three years ago.
School leaders said their challenge will be finding the money to replace the equipment by the start of the next school year this fall.
