Fire chief says blaze destroys historic stadium in Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. – A fire official in Oregon says a spectacular fire has destroyed Eugene’s historic Civic Stadium and prompted the temporary evacuation of a nearby two-block area.

Eugene-Springfield Fire Chief Randy Groves said the stadium’s dry, seasoned lumber caused the fire to spread quickly Monday evening. He said the cause is under investigation. No one was hurt.

The Register-Guard reports the fire was declared under control just after 7 p.m.

Police spokesman John Hankemeier said firefighters called to the stadium at about 5:30 p.m. Monday found flames shooting twice the height of the structure. Smoke was visible throughout the city, which is about 100 miles south of Portland.

The stadium was approved by voters in 1938 during the Great Depression. Labor was provided by the Works Progress Administration, and materials were donated by lumbermen in the area. The Eugene Emeralds, a minor league team in the Northwest League, had been a long-time tenant, but vacated in 2009.