Authorities investigating 5 small fires at Wildwood park

10/20/2010

Authorities are investigating as possible arson five small leaf fires that were discovered early Wednesday morning along a trail in Wildwood Preserve Metropark.

Scott Carpenter, a spokesman for Metroparks of the Toledo Area, said the smoldering fires were discovered at about 6:30 a.m. The number of fires and the fact that leaves had been gathered into small piles both suggested arson. The Sylvania Township Fire Department is investigating, he said.

No further information was immediately available from the fire department.

One of the fires was set in a pile of leaves on top of a park bench, which was damaged. Mr. Carpenter estimated the bench's value at $500.

All five were discovered along a trail that starts at the Wildwood visitors' center, the spokesman said.