Suspicious Fire Damages Ohio Football Field Facilities

March 30--GENEVA -- The fire at Memorial Field has been listed as "suspicious," Geneva Assistant Fire Chief Aaron Lenart said, and the investigation has been turned over to the Geneva Police Department.

"Basically the fire is suspicious because there is no other reason for the fire," he said. "It is in the hands of the police department now and they will investigate."

Lenart said the fire, which started at 5 p.m. Wednesday, caused $75,000 in damage to the bleachers' structure and destroyed $100,000 in stored athletic equipment.

Lenart said the department called the state fire marshal's office, but it declined to investigate.

Lenart said investigators are unsure if the doors to the storage area under the bleachers were secure at the start of the fire.

"We are not sure if the doors were locked because of the extent of the fire. The structure was involved when we arrived at the scene," he said.

Lenart said the paint used on the bleachers and the Styrofoam and foam-based athletic equipment in storage made the fire chemical in nature. Firefighters also battled high winds while fighting the blaze.

School officials confirmed Thursday that the equipment stored under the bleachers belonged to the school district.

The football field and track on Eastwood Street was the home to Geneva Eagle football and track for 70 years before the school district contracted with the Spire Institute for the use of the complex's sports facilities.

Passersby, including Geneva alums, stopped Wednesday to watch firefighters from five local departments battle the blaze. Eastwood Street was clogged with cars as people slowed down to see the fire.

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