A fire broke out at M.L. ‘Tigue’ Moore Field, the baseball stadium of the University of Louisiana‑Lafayette, destroying the scoreboard and the left‑field wall.
The Blaze Begins
Investigators determined that the blaze started when a cutting torch used for maintenance work ignited dry grass and pine needles that had accumulated near an advertising board in left field.
Employees had left the area before a coach noticed the growing flames, prompting fire crews to arrive promptly and prevent the turf from catching fire.
The flames consumed the scoreboard and the left‑field foul pole, leaving the wall along the third‑base line badly damaged while the playing surface remained untouched.
A Season to Remember
The incident occurred shortly after the Ragin’ Cajuns completed a 41‑25 season that included a regional appearance in the College World Series, a run that ended with a loss to Mississippi State.
The damage underscores the risks of maintenance work near combustible materials in venues that host high‑profile collegiate baseball events.