Call in a tip
Duluth Police Investigator Todd Kuusisto is taking information on the Lester Park Elementary fire. Call the city's arson tipline at 730-5080. Those with information can also call the Minnesota Arson Reward line at (800) 723-2020. There could be rewards of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arson arrest.
What's next?
Lester Park Elementary Principal Bonnie Wolden said the school's Parent Teacher Association has money to offer toward new playground equipment to replace what was lost in the weekend fire. Other PTA groups and parents have offered cash and volunteer help to get the playground up as soon as possible. The area is fenced off and children are being kept away.
Wolden expects the $45,000 in damage to be covered by insurance but the investigation and eventual settlement could take a while. Damage included cracked building windows due to the heat of the fire.
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Wolden expects students to use the bus parking area for about a month until new equipment is in. The Duluth School District playgrounds are custom-made, she said, so ideas on replacement and maybe some improvements will be encouraged.
Sod is being placed today on the fields at the new school. Students will have to wait until the sod is established before they can play on the area that is the size of two soccer fields.
