Beatrice Firefighters dispatched to Athletic Park, next to Middle School

BEATRICE – Beatrice Firefighters were sent to Athletic Park, the former football home of the Beatrice Orangeman, on Labor Day...for a small fire in a bleacher area.

Firefighters and a pumper truck responded at 4:45 p.m., observing light smoke and finding a small fire at the southeast corner bleacher area of the stadium.  The flare-up was underneath the bleachers, in an area made of old wood.

Firefighters had the flames extinguished in about ten minutes.  Police officers also responded to the scene along Fourth Street, to help investigate the cause.   A Beatrice Fire Captain says one possibility was a discarded cigarette. There appeared to be no other ignition source.   A school district official also responded to the scene.  

Athletic Park is west across the street from the Beatrice Middle School.  It was replaced several years ago by the House of Orange, at Beatrice High School.  The middle school still uses the facility for physical education classes.  It’s also used for lower grade level track and football.

No word on the amount of damage, which appeared to be minor.