Fifth Third Ballpark in Grand Rapids, MI on fire

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Source: WOODTV 8

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A fire sparked at Fifth Third Ballpark in Plainfield Township Friday morning.

The fire started at around 10:50 a.m.

Flames from the fire could be seen on a nearby MDOT camera located at West River Drive.

24 Hour News 8 has a crew at the scene and will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

Watch 24 Hour News 8's live coverage of the fire here

Read more: http://www.woodtv.com/video/livestreaming-videoLink to source

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They were renovating it & apparently something sparked the fire. They've had trouble fighting it because it's so darned cold outside. It's about 1/2 mile from my house and the smoke is really thick.

[WilliamPitt]

1. Question

Why is it called "Fifth Third Ballpark"? Never heard a park name like that.

Hope it's contained soon. Stay inside and avoid the smoke.

[Brickbat]

2. Fifth Third Bank bought the rights to name it.

[jayfish]

8. Actually,...

the park was funded, in part, by, local financial institution, Old Kent Bank and was named Old Kent Park. Fifth Third bought Old Kent so the name of the park was changed to Fifth Third Ballpark.

[theHandpuppet]

3. Fifth Third is a bank

Corporations pay for the naming rights to stadiums.

[jmowreader]

4. About Fifth Third Bank

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Third_Bank

They merged the Third National Bank and the Fifth National Bank, and decided against naming the place "Third Fifth" for fear people would think it was a liquor reference.

[warrant46]

6. One fifth will do it. Its Friday

[WilliamPitt]

7. Now that's funny.

[AngryOldDem]

5. There is a Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio, too. n/t