P.S. 29 Playground Blaze Was Accidental, Say Parents of Fire Starters: Report

Parents of the kids who have come forward.

According to an exclusive report in the Brooklyn Eagle, the parents of the kids, none of whom were named, asked local Attorney Sam Gregory to set up a bank account into which they would deposit money to pay for the repairs.

“The parents feel awful,” Gregory told the Eagle. “They contacted me and said they want to facilitate a way to get the playground replaced. $50,000 was wired into my account today. The kids will be working a long time to pay their parents back. They’re terribly sorry.”

A call to Gregory was not returned.

PTA Vice-President Lisa Trollbäck said the news was a positive development, but said she believes the teens owe the school, students and community an apology.

"It's great the parents are stepping up and taking responsibility for the actions of their kids, but one would hope there will be further steps," she said.

"They should be required by their parents or the authorities to make good in other ways," she added. "This is not just about money."

It is unclear what will happen with the authorities because the fire is still under investigation.

The and on Thursday said it was  considered "incendiary."

About half of the playground equipment needs to be replaced. Principal Melanie Raneri Woods said on Tuesday that the cost will be covered by the School Construction Authority and the non-profit group Out2Play, that helped the school build the playground.

Andrea Wenner of Out2Play told the Eagle she was "elated to hear the news."

"I don't think anyone was expecting this turn of events," said Trollbäck.