Stanwick Lakes playground destroyed by blaze in early hours of Saturday morning
Fund-raising campaign launched within hours as firefighters appeal for information
The popular adventure playground at Stanwick Lakes has been destroyed by fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Firefighters were called to the wooden structure at around 1.16am.
The playground — which was rebuilt four years ago and refurbished in 2019 — is one of Northamptonshire's most popular attractions families and young kids and has remained open through the latest Covid-19 lockdown.
It is not known how the blaze started but firefighters have today appealed for information from the public.
A statement on Raunds Fire Station's Facebook page asked people who may have information in connection with the incident to phone Firestoppers on 0800169 5558. You can also call police on 101.
The 750-acre countryside attraction and nature reserve, just off the A45 between Wellingborough and Thrapston, is managed by the Rockingham Forest Trust, an environmental charity and rural development trust. A new tree hours, climbing frame and swamp bridge was added to the area during 2019.
A fund-raising page on gofundme.com has been set up HEREaiming to pull together enough donations to rebuild the play area.
More than £2,000 towards an initial £2,500 target had been pledged within the first few hours.