An early-morning fire ripped through the visiting-team clubhouse at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory on Saturday, abruptly scrubbing the Hickory Crawdads’ weekend series against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The blaze broke out before 5:30 a.m., when scouts sleeping on the field heard alarms, caught a whiff of smoke and flagged down help. Fire crews quickly called a second alarm and battled the flames, getting the incident under control shortly before 6 a.m. No injuries were reported.
Fire response and damage
Investigators told WCNC they believe the fire started with an electrical issue, leaving the visiting clubhouse heavily damaged. Multiple scouting groups reported smelling smoke and called 911, triggering the fast response that kept the flames from spreading further. City crews stayed on scene afterward to lock down the area while investigators documented what was left inside.
Games canceled and scheduling impact
The damage wiped the scheduled Crawdads home games against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans off the weekend slate listed on the team’s public schedule at MiLB. Team and league officials will work out plans for rescheduling and ticketing, and fans are being urged to watch official channels for word on refunds or new dates. Officials said the immediate focus is making sure the ballpark is safe for players, staff and fans before anyone steps back on the field.
About L.P. Frans Stadium and local ripple effects
L.P. Frans Stadium, tucked into Winkler Park at 2500 Clement Boulevard NW in Hickory, has long been home base for the Crawdads and a go-to spot for community events. Past coverage of the ballpark underscores its role as a neighborhood hangout, which means the dropped games could ripple out to vendors, stadium staff and nearby businesses that count on those weekend crowds. Hoodline’s local profile of the stadium lays out that background and the venue’s community uses.
Investigation and next steps
Investigators are continuing to comb through the scene to lock down the exact cause, and WCNC reports that an electrical origin remains the leading theory while the probe plays out. The Crawdads and league partners will keep games off the schedule at L.P. Frans Stadium until repairs are made and safety checks are complete. Officials have not released any timetable yet for reopening the visiting clubhouse or making up the lost weekend series.
