Teens burning of ex's love letter led to school fire

A case of burning love caused thousands of dollars in damage at a school playground in Alaska.

Anchorage police say 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.

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 says 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.

Rubber mulch is used on the playground to cushion falls. School district spokeswoman Heidi Embley says damage is estimated at $20,000.

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