The West Tamworth Fire and Rescue NSW brigade received an emergency call for help late on Sunday afternoon after a witness spotted flames leaping from the shade cloth of the Hyman Park playground, off Robert St.

Senior firefighter Robert Eckersley told The Leader firefighters could see the flames as soon as they arrived.

“Firefighters arrived to find the shade cloth well alight,” he said.

“It was dropping onto the bark, and spread to the playground equipment.”

Mr Eckersley said the fire was contained and extinuguished within minutes using a high pressure hose reel.

“It damaged the soft fall and the other equipment at the playground,” Mr Eckersley said.

Local police have slammed the deliberate damage to public property.

“We encourage anyone with information on the incident or who witnessed suspicious activity to contact Tamworth police,” Oxley Inspector Matt French said.