By Mary O’KEEFE

Police have arrested two Glendale boys, 13 and 14 years old, in connection with a playground fire that occurred Wednesday night at Glorietta Park in the 2800 block of N. Verdugo Road in Glendale.

Black smoke from the melting plastic toys filled the sky over Montrose as Glendale fire and police responded to the fire at 5:39 p.m. When firefighters arrived they found the playground equipment and surrounding wood chips on fire.            “Firefighters were concerned that the nearby eucalyptus trees were going to burn but [the fire was contained in time]. The city’s trash can was melted,” said Lt. Ian Grimes.

Investigators found woodchips had been piled under another playground equipment area where an apparent attempt had been made to start a fire.

Officers Joe Allen and Craig Tweedy obtained a surveillance video that linked the juveniles to the scene. Clothing allegedly belonging to one of the suspects was found near one of the fires.

Initially the damage was estimated at $60,000 however after the discovery of water system damage the cost of the blaze has now been raised to over $100,000.

The boys were arrested today, Thursday, in the early morning hours. They were released to the custody of their parents.