Coney Island community playground burns in a fire

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A slide, monkey bars and a safe space for the community is now gone after a fire destroyed a popular playground in Coney Island. Caution tape, burned equipment and debris now lives at the playground inside Asser Levy Park. People in the community have been coming to check on the playground after hearing it caught on fire. "Before my kids gave me a call, I was going to let them hang out here essentially by themselves because I live right across the street, I honestly didn't think that something like this could happen here," said Sabina, a mother who lives in the neighborhood. According to the NYPD, a tree caught on fire around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning and spread to the playground. News 12 was told the Parks Department closed it off and they're evaluating the damages and next steps. People in the neighborhood told News 12 this playground was a second home. "I feel like it took away their childhood a little bit because now they have to think of another place to go sometimes we have to think about it walking distance a way is still something when you're thinking about child safety," said Sabina. There's no update when the damages will be repaired, but for now the community is forced to find a new playground for their children for their children. "