Anger over bin-fire vandalism at the Sunflower Special Needs Playground, which was still alight after 40 litres of water had been used to try to extinguish it.

Longford MD Cathaoirleach Kevin Hussey has branded as scandalous an act of vandalism which took place in the Sunflower Special Needs playground in Longford town late last night, Monday September 28.

Kevin, who lives nearby, received a call alerting him to the flames coming out of a bin at the playground.

Concerned that sparks could potentially ignite the nearby playground safety padding, a rubberised surface designed to cushion falls, Kevin immediately set about extinguishing the fire as his wife continued to fill 2 and 5-litre canisters with water for him to use.

Even after 40 litres of water had been used to try and extinguish it, the fire was still burning.

Cathaoirleach Kevin Hussey in the Sunflower Playground after extinguishing the fire last night | Longford Leader

placeholder image — Cathaoirleach Kevin Hussey in the Sunflower Playground after extinguishing the fire last night | Longford Leader

The Longford Leader, who was also alerted to the incident on the night, spoke with the Cathaoirleach afterwards.

Describing the incident as “a disgrace”, Kevin condemned the vandalism and level of disrespect shown towards a local facility for children with special needs.

He added that the reckless act could have potentially destroyed the much-loved space had the nearby cushioned matting also caught fire.

“I had actually been in hospital all day having a procedure and was in bed when I received the call about the fire,” Kevin explained.

“I looked out my back window and could see the smoke coming from the Sunflower Playground, so I filled a flask with water and came around to deal with it.”

The items the vandals had set on fire | Longford Leader

He added, “Thankfully, I was able to get it under control and didn’t feel it was necessary to call the fire brigade.”

“I would have hated to take a fire crew away from a potentially much more serious emergency to deal with a bin fire that appears to have been deliberately started.”

As no other damage was caused in the playground, it is thought the fire was deliberately started to destroy specific items. While it’s not known what the vandals were attempting to burn, remnants of the items were still visible, having melted and re-solidified in the intense heat.

This act of vandalism is the latest of a number of incidents to have occurred in the town in recent days.