Teens say burning of love letter led to school playground fire
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A case of burning love caused thousands of dollars in damage at a school playground in Alaska on Tuesday.
Anchorage police said a fire from lit paper ignited rubber mulch and spread to two pieces of playground equipment, destroying both.
After speaking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance video, police interviewed two 18-year-olds.
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The teens told investigators that they burned a love letter Tuesday night from an ex-girlfriend on the playground at Bowman Elementary School and left.
Police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said investigators recommended charges of criminal mischief, criminal negligent burning and failure to control or report a fire.
Online court documents Wednesday morning did not indicate formal charges had been filed.
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Rubber mulch is used on the playground to cushion falls. School district spokeswoman Heidi Embley said damage is estimated at $20,000.