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Children Charged Over Oregon Stadium Fire

Children Charged Over Oregon Stadium Fire

Four boys between the ages of 10 and 12 have been charged over a fire that destroyed a historic baseball stadium.

They were charged following a tip-off as investigators looked into the cause of the blaze at Eugene's Civic Stadium in Oregon.

The stadium caught fire late on Monday afternoon and was spotted by a local baseball coach who was at a game across the street.

He called the police but, despite the quick action, the stadium's dry, seasoned wood caused the fire to spread rapidly, with flames seen rising twice the height of the structure.

Smoke could be seen in the city of Eugene itself, which lies about 100 miles south of Portland, Oregon's largest city.

The stadium was built during the Great Depression after voters approved the move.

Labour was provided by the Works Progress Administration while materials and wood were donated by local landowners.

The stadium was long-term home to the Eugene Emeralds, a minor league team, but they left it in 2009.