A burning aerosol can is the reason for a gaping hole in a slide at the Polson Park playground.
Vernon RCMP were dispatched to the park at around 6:40 p.m. Saturday after reports of an explosion.
“Officers spoke to several witnesses and were told that three people were observed approaching the playground structure,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. “They stopped for a moment, then heard a large explosion and the individuals ran off.”
A police service dog team was called, and a track was followed to the parking lot near the Galaxy Cinema at The Shops at Polson Park before the dog lost the scent.
The witnesses were unable to provide police with any detailed descriptions of the individuals as it was dark outside.
Police discovered that an aerosol can had been lit on fire and placed in the enclosed slide.
“The explosion burnt a hole through the slide and the can rocketed into the air,” said Molendyk.
The next day, police were called to a report of a dumpster fire behind Tim Hortons in the 2600 block of Highway 6 at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
The restaurant is directly across the street from Polson Park, and police and fire officials are wondering about a possible connection between the tow incidents.
“Officials are concerned that these incidents happened less than two days apart in areas close to each other,” said Molendyk.
The dumpster fire, started in a bin full of old cardboard, was put out quickly with foam and water from the Vernon Fire Department, though nobody was around the dumpster when the fire members arrived.
There was no damage to any of the surrounding buildings, though the dumpster was scorched.
Police are asking anybody with any information on either incident to call the Vernon detachment at 250-545-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Tips can also be left on the local Crime Stoppers website, www.nokscrimestoppers.com.
