A large fire engulfed the Dartmouth ferry terminal playground on Monday evening after police say a small wooden boat was set ablaze.
Halifax regional fire along with officers with Halifax Regional Police were on scene around 5:15 p.m. after the boat was believed to be set on fire.
Peter Andrews, acting divisional commander for Halifax fire, said two fire trucks were dispatched after a security guard at Alderney Landing saw some youth in the area. The subsequent fire was spotted soon after, he said.
“When they got there, there was a plastic boat and some playground area that was fully involved,” Andrews said. “So they ran a line and extinguished (the fire).
“There was some significant damage to the boat structure – probably in the range of $10,000 to $15,000.”
Police say five teenagers – four males and one female between the ages of 16 and 17 – were spotted running from the area before police arrived.
A group of teens fitting the description were eventually located, police say, and were all questioned and then released.
“At this point in time they haven’t been charged,” said HRP Staff Sgt. Lindsay Hernden.
Hernden also said it’s “still up in the air” whether there is video footage from the terminal that police could use in their investigation.
Video of the fire posted online showed heavy flames and a large amount of thick black smoke going into the darkening sky. – Metro Halifax
