ONE of two youths who set fire to a piece of play equipment in Newcombes Meadow, Crediton, which caused an estimated £5,000 worth of damage, has issued a sincere apology.

The 14-year-old Queen Elizabeth’s School student, speaking exclusively to the Crediton Courier said: “I am really sorry for what happened. It was a situation which got out of control.

“We lit a fire and didn’t realise what would happen.

“As soon as I could I rang the fire brigade and then we waited for them to arrive to put out the fire.

“I just feel terrible about what happened.”

The teenager’s mother said that she would pay for the damage caused.

“We have lived here for 11 years and not had any problems, we really love Crediton.

“We would like to say sorry to everybody.

“I have told him he needs to learn what is right and what is wrong and intend to get him involved in helping re-pay for what he has done, whether it is cleaning the park or doing something else.

“I have also told him he won’t have any pocket money for ages and that he is grounded.”

A Crediton police spokesman told the Courier earlier this week: “The two lads stayed at the scene and we know who they are.

“They were spoken to by firefighters. Their parents are aware and we are in discussions about where to go from here.”

The officer added: “The lads did the right thing to stay at the scene and admit what they did.”

A local resident, who knows the 14-year-old well said: “He is a decent lad who comes from a good family.

“He works very hard and is eager to please. He is always polite and even opens doors for ladies.”

“He’s just a young lad who made a silly mistake. “He took responsibility when he realised what he had done and phoned the fire brigade, and waited until they arrived.”

He realises that he made a mistake and is trying hard to make up for it.”

It was at about 6.30pm on Monday, April 11, that huge plumes of black smoke were reported rising high above the town from the area.

Local residents alerted Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and a fire crew from Crediton were quickly on the scene.

On arrival the fire crew found a fire had been lit under one end of the zip wire stand which had ignited the rubber safety surface.

The firefighters used foam to put out the blaze.

The piece of play equipment was one of a number of new pieces installed just over a year ago after a campaign by a group of local residents for the equipment to be improved.

The Newcombes Meadow Community Group issued a comment on social media which read:

“We will work with the local councils to get the play area back up and running as soon as possible.”

“The play area was due to be expanded soon with a big climbing frame and a slide but the group will now have to concentrate on helping Mid Devon District Council get the zip wire made safe and replaced.”

People commented on Facebook:

Sarah Russell described it as “Dreadful news”. She added: My four-year-old son and I had a lovely time playing on that amongst other things on Saturday afternoon.”

Wendy Hyland said: “How terrible, one of my kids favourite things in the park.”

Chezney Rodriguez said: “That’s Crediton for ya, nothing for the youths to do.”

The piece of play equipment has now been taped off and there has been some discussion about CCTV.

• How do you think the youths should make good their foolish error? What do you think can be done to prevent something similar happening in the future?

Share your views with fellow Crediton Courier readers.

Write a letter, suitable for publication, to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .