Nursery woe as yobs torch tots play area
MINDLESS vandals torched play equipment at a Glasgow nursery while the kids were on holiday.
Wilful fire-raisers broke into Elmvale Nursery in Hawthorn Street on Sunday night and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
A climbing frame, picnic bench and rubber safety mats were all destroyed in the blaze.
The Springburn nursery is attended by around 70 children aged between three and five-years-old who were devastated to not be able to use their own playground.
Gail Houston, deputy head of the nursery class, said: “The damage is really quite shocking.
“One of the staff showed me a photo of the damage but when I saw it for myself, it was horrible.
“The people who did it obviously have no regard for the children who use it.
“It’s wanton vandalism. The climbing frame and rubber matting are completely black and charred.
“The children are really upset. They want to go out and play, but they can’t use their playground.
“The climbing frame was very popular, the children used it every day.
“It would cost thousands to replace it and the matting underneath. We’re in the middle of a refurb at the moment.
“Last week staff and parents were out painting planters in the nursery garden and preparing the beds for planting. It was looking good, so it makes this vandalism all the more upsetting.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman added: “It is such a shame youngsters at the nursery have to suffer because of thoughtless vandals. Everyone has been working hard to make the garden and playground look good.
“The children love playing outdoors and they are so disappointed that they can’t use their playground just now.
“They are young, and something like this is unsettling, but the nursery staff are doing a great job of reassuring them.”
Police Scotland confirmed that they were called to a report of a fire near to Elmvale Primary School on Sunday.
A j oint i nvestigation between Police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is now ongoing to find those responsible for causing the damage.
They are treating the incident as wilful fire raising.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Inquiries are continuing.”