A COMMUNITY has spoken of its disappointment after a children's play park in Barrow was set alight in an arson attack.

Fire crews attended the blaze which engulfed the playground on Stanley Road, Barrow Island on Monday May 10.

Local resident Jo Milson said: “I looked out of my window and saw the billowing black smoke.

“I couldn’t believe it – I called the emergency services straight away and they told me that fire engines were already on their way here.

“There were children playing in the park just before the fire. It’s really shocking, it’s a quiet area around here and things like this don’t usually happen.

“No-one I’ve spoken to knows how it happened or who started it.”

The attack comes just a week after Cumbria Fire and Rescue attended 23 deliberate fires in a single week.

Barrow Police have issued a statement after the arson attack at the park which was upgraded in 2019.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We are investigating an incident of arson that occurred on Monday 10th May at 7.30pm in the children’s park on Stanley Road which was reported to us by The Fire Service who attended the scene.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the fire, or anyone in the area at the time of the incident, quoting log 186 of the 10th May 2021.”

Cumbria Fire and Rescue have issued a warning against the risk to life involved in starting deliberate fires. They said: “When someone starts a fire deliberately, they’re not only putting firefighters’ lives at risk, but also local people.

“Fires can easily spread & even a slight change in wind can pose a serious risk to life and property.

Barrow Island Community and Sports Trust is a local group set up in 2015 to promote outdoor venues in the area. A spokesperson for the trust said:

“This is very disappointing to say the least. There was lot demanding work went to get this park update and made safety young children.

“If anyone has information, please contact the police.”