Fire destroys Timbuktu Adventure Playground

Published: 28 May 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

THE memories of hundreds of Holloway children lay scattered in cinders on Monday after a blaze ripped through their beloved adventure playground.

Charred wood and old nails are all that remains of Timbuktu Adventure Playground in Grenville Road, where much of the equipment was built by children and young people who rely on the centre. 

A climbing wall, which youths took eight weeks to build only a couple of months ago; climbing frames; swings; bikes; benches and the centrepiece – a huge wooden ship – have turned to charcoal.

Recently laid bark flooring which cost £3,000 has been destroyed, and the perimeter fence and surrounding trees may have to be pulled down.

Neighbours and supporters are scrambling to raise funds to restore the playground, with damage estimated to be in the region of £70,000.

Although Islington Police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) say they don’t believe it to have been deliberate, neighbours reported seeing a group of youths running away from the centre minutes after the fire broke out on Monday afternoon.

One teen, surveying the damage, said: “Lots of people grew up here. It’s all our childhood memories gone.”

John Grant, who works at the centre, said: “The destruction is shocking. It was such a furnace that the fire brigade had to spray water from outside the fence. They couldn’t get near. It’s a massive loss. The holidays are coming up. The people that come here will have nowhere to go.”

Darren McLaughlin, 42, who has worked at Timbuktu for 22 years, said: “I didn’t think it could be this bad. It was at such ferocity that there were three fire engines here. It was lucky the wind wasn’t blowing in the other direction or the main building would have gone. The community is devastated. People keep offering help and one school is planning a fundraising event.”

Charity Timbuktu has been in Upper Holloway for more than 30 years but most of the playground equipment has been there for less than five. In holiday time it attracts up to 90 children a day, offering free play for anyone who wants to drop in. 

Islington Council funds two full-time and one part-time worker but staff have to fundraise for all other running costs, expenses and equipment.

Mr McLaughlin added: “It’s loved and respected. In 22 years we’ve never had anything like this.”

Nine-year-old Joseph Jacobsen-Lawson des­cribed the scene as “absolutely horrific”.

And Jorika Torrent, 22, who helps out at Timbuktu, said: “I was really shocked and upset. I don’t understand how someone could do this on purpose.”

An Islington Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 4.25pm on May 24 to reports of a fire at a playground in Grenville Road. LFB attended and put out the fire. 

“It was deemed non-suspicious.”