At least one young arsonist is being sought by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) after firefighters were called to put out a fire after a slide was set ablaze at around 8:45 p.m. yesterday evening in Bédard Park in Saint Lazare.

"According to our information, a slide was set on fire by one or more young people who have not yet been located. We are still looking for them. If anyone has any information that can help us identify them, they can call *4141 or their local police station," said Sûreté du Québec (SQ) spokeswoman Valérie Beauchamp.

The fire broke out on the upper part of the slide, a one foot opening above the head of the person who would slide down it. The fire was put out with one water and one powder extinguisher.

Video footage of the incident was taken by a father who was at the park with his children. There are also security cameras in the park and the city is expected to give the video footage to the SQ within the next few hours.

The vandalized slide is part of a play module.  Several people were enjoying themselves in the park, some playing softball, others simply playing near the module when the fire was set.

The slide is still functional but the damage is clearly visible. This is not the first time acts of mischief and vandalism have occurred in the park, Néomédia has learned.