CT photo by Bruce Bishop.

Phillips

SHEFFIELD TWP. — An 18-year-old man has been charged with torching the playground at Vincent Elementary School early Saturday and later calling in a false report that the school itself was on fire.

Ernest Phillips, who lives a few blocks away from the school, is charged with arson, vandalism, breaking and entering, inducing panic, tampering with evidence, making false alarms and obstructing official business.

Lorain County sheriff’s Capt. Jim Drozdowski said Phillips confessed to starting the fire when he was questioned while he was in custody at the county jail this weekend.

Saturday’s fire was the second blaze at the playground in the past two years.

Read Wednesday’s Chronicle for more on this story.