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Search for arsonist in Puyallup

PUYALLUP, Wash. — Police are searching for an arsonist after two fires at city parks in less than three weeks.

When Savannah Hughes and her family came to Puyallup's DeCoursey Park Saturday, the first thing they noticed was the fencing around a burned-out building.

"It makes you feel sad,” Hughes said.

Earlier this month, Puyallup police say someone shoved a garbage can inside the restroom, and lit the building on fire.

Firefighters deemed the building a total loss.

"People come here, and they make memories, and how many hundreds of people's memories have been ruined by that building getting burned?" said Josh Daley, a Puyallup resident.

That was the first arson. The second happened at Sam Peach Park on Monday, about a mile from the first fire.

Both fires were set between 8:30 and 10 p.m.

Police say they need the public’s help to catch whoever is responsible.

"We take arson fires very seriously, because you never know who is the person behind the arson,” said Capt. Scott Engle with Puyallup Police.

Police ask anyone with information to call the tip line at (253) 770-3343 -- or email police at puyalluppd@ci.puyallup.wa.us.