WALDORF, Md. (June 29, 2009)—Deputy State Fire Marshals charged two local youths this evening with malicious burning and malicious destruction of property. The charges stems from an intentionally set fire involving rubber matting at a school playground.
The 8:30 p.m. fire at the Mary B. Neal Elementary School located in the 12000 block of St. Georges Drive caused approximately one-thousand dollars in damage to rubber mats that playground equipment sat on.
The fire was discovered by a Charles County Sheriff's Deputy while on routine patrol. Deputy State Fire Marshals were called to the scene and determined the youths, one 10 years old and a 12 year old were playing around at the playground when they ignited sections of matting using a lighter. After setting the fire the youths extinguished the flames and no firefighters were sent to the school grounds.
The youths were released to the custody of their parents pending further action by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.