VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach firefighters put out the flames at an apartment complex playground in a matter of minutes, but residents who live in and around the Apartments at Spence Crossing are still fuming.
“This is a very big disappointment for the neighborhood,” said Lady K.
“This is no joke. Fire is no joke. Mischief is no joke,” said Georgian Allen.
Monday afternoon residents opened up their doors and windows to sirens and fire engines.
The call for the fire came in at 1:54 p.m. in the 1600 block of Spence Gate Circle near South Independence Boulevard and Princess Anne Road, just down the street from Landstown High School.
“It sounded really close. I looked outside, and a fire truck was pulling up. I came out and saw the flames,” said Robert Savage.
The apartment complex playground, also known as the "tot lot" due to its popularity among toddlers, was engulfed in flames. Some of the equipment was completely melted.
“It is personal because it’s where I live,” said Sharon Mazzio. “It's very sad. We have several children in this complex, and every time I come to the dog park to bring the dog there are kids playing. It takes away from them, and it’s just not right."
Mazzio said with the strong winds those flames could have been blown in any direction.
“I live two buildings down. It could have spread, and it could have been an amazing disaster,” said Mazzio.
Mindy Strong, a mother of three, said it's like her sons lost a piece of their childhood.
“Living in an apartment complex, we are sort of limited on space inside our home, and this is the one place that’s designated for the kids. It’s a safe place,” said Strong.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but if you ask any resident, they’ll tell you this was intentionally set.
“This is a small little playground. What possessed them to do this in a little playground like this? I just don’t get it. I just don’t get it,” said Allen.