Ridgefield Baseball Field Doused in Gasoline, Set Ablaze

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The baseball field at Governor Park will be out of commission after someone set the infield ablaze.

The town reported on social media how a Ridgefield High School baseball game was delayed to weather conditions, and the "poor decision was made" to douse the infield with 24 gallons of gasoline and set it on fire to "dry the field quicker."

"Thanks to the RFD, Peter Hill the Director of Public Works, DEEP, the RPD, and our Certified Spill Response Team for their incredible help. No one was injured and no one is in danger," the post read in part.

The town excavated six to eight inches of gas-soaked soil from the infield Saturday night into Sunday afternoon, the News-Times reported. The contaminated dirt will be transported from the site on Monday. First Selectman Rudy Marconi told the News-Times the cost to repair the field would be in the neighborhood of $50,000.

The Ridgefield Police Department is looking into the matter. Although there was no shortage of witnesses, the person or persons responsible for setting the fire has not yet been publicly identified.