CHILDREN have been left devastated after arsonists torched a popular play area.
The tree house at Wrexham’s Gwenfro Valley playground is now off limits to the youngsters due to the extent of the damage from the blaze.
Gwenfro Valley deputy manager, Theresa Burling, said the attack had caused great upset.
“The initial reaction was one of shock. The tree house is one of the most popular facilities here and the children really do think of it as a special place, they have a sense of ownership.
“The tree house hasn’t been destroyed, but because it has been so badly damaged we have had to put it off limits for now until repairs can be carried out.”
She added the attack came after a highly successful open day at Gwenfro Valley which had been enjoyed by the whole community.
“It was a very happy occasion with activities like face painting and a bouncy castle.
There was a good attendance and people had a lot of fun there. Then unfortunately soon afterwards the tree house is attacked.”
Theresa said funds would now have to be found for repair work to be undertaken, the exact extent of the costs involved have yet to be fully determined.
The tree house had been at the playground for around three years.
A spokeswoman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they were alerted to the blaze at around 5.50am on Monday, September 5.
One appliance from Wrexham attended the scene and firefighters used one hose reel jet to tackle the flames.
She added the cause of the incident was believed to be deliberate ignition.