The film was set at historic Jay Littleton Ballpark in Ontario, California. A league of its own A five-alarm blaze broke out Thursday, apparently caused by homeless people entering the park.
Ontario Fire Department Posts According to Fox News, the fire department sent out a message on social media informing residents that the first fire engines arrived on the scene at 11:30 p.m. to battle the blaze, which broke out in the wooden bleachers.
But the fire spread quickly and exceeded the ability of the 51 firefighters to extinguish it, the fire department said.
Please see the attached press release. #CommercialFire #JayLittletonBallpark pic.twitter.com/oEcb88An0V
— Ontario Fire Department (@OntarioFireDept) August 24, 2024
The fire completely destroyed the historic bleachers and dugouts, but the playing field and scoreboard remain intact.
Officials added that the cause of the fire is “currently under investigation.”
Opened in 1937, the stadium hosted amateur and youth baseball games for decades and also became home to the professional league team, the Ontario Orioles, in 1947.
However, the park was featured in the 1992 Penny Marshall film ” A league of its ownStarring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis and Madonna.
But recently, park officials said they’ve had problems with homeless people congregating under the bleachers.
“We’ve always had issues with homelessness in our parks,” Aaron Mathiesen, president of the Little League of Eastern Ontario, told media. “In the past, we’ve had homeless people break into buildings and try to cut the gas lines and get their own gas. It’s just chaotic and I think that’s what unfortunately happened.”
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has not confirmed whether homeless people started the fire.
“This is a big loss for our community. Everybody here has either played on that field over the years or has a relative or child who played there. A lot of people played at this field in the 87 years it was there,” city spokesman Dan Bell said. said.
This historic park has also been used in other baseball movies. Eight Men Out and The Story of Babe Ruthand its failed streaming TV version. A league of its own.
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