2 youngsters burned by stolen pool acid poured on slides at Longmeadow playground

Crime

Police are asking the general public to supply any info they could have in regards to the crime or a possible suspect.

Two youngsters suffered acid burns Sunday after somebody stole a pool chemical from a Longmeadow park’s pump room and poured it down three slides on the park’s playground.

What we all know thus far

At 9:40 a.m. Sunday, Longmeadow police and firefighters had been knowledgeable that two youngsters who had simply left Bliss Park Playground had suffered burn-like accidents, the Longmeadow Hearth Division mentioned in a press launch Monday.

On the identical time, the discharge mentioned, police and firefighters had been notified {that a} suspicious substance had been discovered on three slides on the playground. They quickly decided that the substance was muriatic acid — a pool chemical used to deliver down the pH of swimming pools.

In line with the CDC, muriatic acid is a watered-down model of hydrochloric acid. It might trigger extreme chemical burns, and kids are particularly prone.

State police had been known as in, and an preliminary investigation decided that somebody had climbed two fences and thru a air flow shaft to interrupt into the park’s pool constructing, the discharge mentioned. The perpetrator or perpetrators then stole muriatic acid from the constructing’s pump room and poured it on the slides.

“A substantial amount of effort was employed to enter this area,” the hearth division wrote within the launch. “We suspect that the perpetrators might have suffered acid burns to their fingers or arms, and their clothes might have indications of being degraded from contact with the acid.”

What’s subsequent

Police gathered forensic proof on the scene and are within the technique of analyzing it, the discharge mentioned. However authorities are nonetheless hoping the general public might be able to present details about the crime or a possible suspect.

“In case you seen any suspicious exercise Saturday night time in or across the park please name Longmeadow Police. If you understand of somebody with new burns to their fingers or arms or might have had burned clothes, please additionally notify Longmeadow Police,” the hearth division wrote within the launch.

Native and state police are nonetheless investigating the incident. You’ll be able to contact Longmeadow police by calling 413-565-4199.

The playground has been closed off whereas it’s being cleaned by a specialty contractor, the discharge mentioned. Authorities will later decide when it will likely be reopened. The remainder of the park is open.