After a fire destroyed a Clayton County school playground, officials learned three kids might be responsible.

A surveillance camera mounted on a school building captured the suspicious fire from start to finish, Channel 2 Action News reported Monday.

Police watched the video in which a car pulled up to Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on Saturday. Three kids, who were hanging out of the car windows, got out and played for a while before setting a fire, officials told the news station.

Flames climbed 12 to 15 feet in the air when the rubber matting burned, Clayton County Battalion Chief Laura Richardson said.

“When it burns, it burns hot and, like I said, it does cause that very thick, dark black smoke,” Richardson told Channel 2.

The trio is then seen running away, leaving the fire burning.

“The fire did cause significant damage to the playground,” Richardson said. “Fortunately, there were no injuries. That’s what’s most important.”

The Clayton County Schools superintendent is expected to request funds from the school board to replace the playground equipment, Channel 2 reported.

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
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