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Fire breaks out at Fifth Third Ballpark UPDATED!

Fifth Third Ballpark fire

Firefighters are combating a fire at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), after a blaze started in the team office and spread to the suites.

Firefighters originally started fighting the fire inside the ballpark around 11 a.m., but moved their efforts outside after the fire spread beyond the original suite area and into adjoining suites. Additional firefighters were summoned to provide assistance. One problem encountered by firefighters: only two fire hydrants were located near the ballpark.

We’re talking major fire here: it looks like the suites down the first-base line are totally burnt out, and there’s a report — which we question as to its veracity — that the fire spead to the bowl seating area and the scoreboard. However, firefighters were reporting around 1 p.m. local time (Eastern) that the fire is now contained.

Many teams were still closed for business today as part of the extended holidays, and there were only a few Whitecaps owners at the ballpark. They were safely evacuated.

The ballpark is slated to host the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Game.

No injuries were reported.

More from MLive.com, including photos.

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