By Melody Gutierrez
mgutierrez@sacbee.com
Police are asking for the public's help in identifying who set fire to the school playground Sunday evening at Hazel Strauch Elementary School in South Natomas.
Officials from the Twin Rivers Police Department and Sacramento City Fire Department responded to calls around 11:20 p.m. and arrived to find the playground structure engulfed in flames, according to a news release.
Students at Hazel Strauch, at 3141 Northstead Drive, will return to school Tuesday for their last four days of instruction before summer vacation.
"We are very sad that this happened," said Linda Bean, Hazel Strauch principal, on Monday. "The fire won't just hurt the school, but the community. Our community goes there to play."
Arson investigators have yet to release the cause of the fire and the cost of the damage is not yet known.
Police are urging any witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information can call the crime alert at (916) 443-HELP or text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Bean said she will alert school families about the fire using an automated phone message tonight.
"Our plan is to finish the school year strong," Bean said. "We hope that whoever did this will be caught."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.









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