Fire Damages Fifth Third Ballpark Near Grand Rapids.; Future of Midwest League All State Game In Question

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - A large section of Fifth Third Ballpark was destroyed by a fire that sparked Friday morning, and according to the Plainfield Township fire chief, the lack of hydrants hampered the fire crews' ability to fight the fire.

The fire started around 11 a.m. Smoke and flames from the fire could be seen from miles away.
Firefighters had to evacuate the building a half hour after they began to fight the fire, and went into defensive mode.

According to the Kent County emergency manager, the fire started in one of the suites, and just before 12 p.m., the roof on the skyboxes began to collapse.

The emergency manager also said the building's sprinkler system was not working properly.
There were 30 employees at the ballpark at the time of the fire, but everyone was able to get out safely. No injuries were reported

Around 12:30 p.m., firefighters began to get the fire under control. Multiple departments were called in to help relieve crews from the bitter cold.

Aside from regular season games, several major events were scheduled to be held at Fifth Third Ballpark in 2014.

In the summer, the Midwest League All Star Game was to be played there. Even before that, on Feb. 22, the Winter Beer Festival 2014 was scheduled to be held in the ballpark's parking lot.
Scott Graham, executive director of the Michigan Brewers Guild, released the following statement about the festival's fate:

"The Michigan Brewers Guild is certainly concerned about our upcoming beer festival at the Fifth Third Ballpark but our first concern is for all of our friends at the West Michigan Whitecaps. Our thoughts and prayers are with the staff at the ballpark today and we will asses what it means to the Guild after the damage is under control and can be assessed. Because our event is held outside the ballpark in the parking lot we are hopeful that it will turn out well. We will do our best to keep fans of MI beer informed in coming days as we learn more."

West Michigan Whitecaps management said that they plan to rebuild Fifth Third Ballpark, which was originally built in 1994, and hope to be open by the beginning of the season, which kicks off on April 8.
The Whitecaps said they would release an official statement on the fire at 2:30 p.m.

It's still unknown what caused the fire.