Crews are still mopping up embers at Eugene's Civic Stadium where the historic grandstands burned down Monday.
The Eugene Police arson team will investigate the fire. Chief Pete Kerns says it's unknown whether the blaze was intentional. Witnesses report 3 or 4 young people were seen at the stadium before the fire. Kerns says he's hoping for the public's help.
Kerns: "Typically in cases like this that have so much community interest we learn who the people were that were seen leaving a scene like this so we don't want anyone to be afraid to come to the police."
Community groups recently purchased the Civic Stadium property to restore the grandstands and create a youth sports venue. Derek Johnson with Eugene Civic Alliance says this is a huge loss but they're still going to create something here.
Johnson: "If we could make a nod to that grandstand when we rebuild this thing that would make us all feel better. It would make the whole community feel better."
Johnson says the Alliance had insured the structure for 3 million dollars. The wooden grandstands were built in 1938 during the great depression. The stadium had been shuttered since 2009 after the Eugene Emeralds left.
Eugene Police Tip lines:
Phone: 541.682.8888
Email: crimetips@ci.eugene.or.us
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