A slide structure at a play area in unincorporated Washington County set on fire Thursday evening, April 3. (Courtesy photo: 185th West Homeowners Association)

Authorities believe arson is the cause of a fire that damaged a neighborhood’s play structure near Beaverton.

The fire was reported Thursday night, April 3, in the vicinity of 182nd and Heritage Loop, a largely residential area in an unincorporated area of Washington County. There are currently no suspects.

The fire happened less than a year after the play area was replaced due to a deterioration of the existing structure.

As first reported by Fox 12 News, one side of the park looked normal and in use while the other side appeared melted and covered in caution tape.

In an update provided Tuesday morning, April 8,Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson David Huey said no suspects have been identified.

“It has been confirmed that it was an arson,” Huey said. “I don’t think we have any leads to go on at this point. We are looking for someone or someones, certainly, but I don’t think we’ve identified any suspect information at this point.”

Kimberlee Henderson, a board member with the 185th West Homeowners Association, described the damage.

“There are three slides, and one of the slides is completely unusable,” she said, noting the cost to replace the slide will be as much as $5,000.

Henderson said she’s hoping insurance through the homeowners association will cover the costs.

Having just replaced the play structure last summer, Henderson said the situation was very sad.

“It’s very disheartening to everybody, especially the kids,” Henderson said. “Why would somebody want to destroy a child’s play structure? I just don’t get it.”