Part of a children’s playground at Altona’s Logan Reserve has been destroyed in an apparent arson attack.
A climbing frame was burned down about 4am on Wednesday.
Firefighters were on scene within six minutes of receiving a report from the public.
An MFB spokesman said the fire had been deemed suspicious.
The damaged part of the playground remains fenced off but the rest is available for public use.
Hobsons Bay ratepayers will foot the $20,000 bill to replace the damaged equipment.
Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair said the council was working to replace the vandalised structure.
“Altona is usually a peaceful and family-friendly community and we’re shocked that this popular play equipment has been so needlessly damaged,” she said.
“We are saddened by this senseless act of vandalism and disappointed that ratepayers will ultimately foot the bill to repair this senseless sabotage of our community assets.
“If anyone saw anything suspicious or knows anything about this act of vandalism we ask that they please report it to the local police.”
In March last year, a swing-set in the same playground was hacked to pieces with a pickaxe stolen from Altona Homestead.
