Arsonist burns playground to the ground

Independence police and the Independence Fire Department's arson division are investigating a fire that severely damaged a park playground early Monday morning.

Independence public information officer Darrell Schmidli said that the playground equipment at Bundschu Park was burned to the ground Monday morning by a fire that appeared to be intentionally set around 1 a.m.

Schmidli said the damage was estimated at $10,000 at the park at 11400 E. Ninth St., just south of U.S. 24 and east of Sterling Avenue. He said there are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Independence Police Department at 816-325-7300.