A pile of rubble was all that remained Monday after a shed containing thousands of dollars worth of equipment for young athletes went up in flames.
The Northlake Pop Warner football and cheer program’s shed at Pulaski Park Fieldhouse in Hammond was destroyed in a fire early Sunday.
“It was really hard for me, I had a lot of memories,” Elliana Roberts, Northlake Pop Warner cheerleader.
Pop Warner’s youth football and cheer programs serve children from Hammond, East Chicago and Whiting.
Most of their equipment was in the garage.
“It had all of our tackle dolls, poms, cheer mats, helmets, pats, memorabilia, trophy papers…” Kaylee Tallo said. “Everything in that garage costs a lot of money. We just brought in brand new football helmets. Most kids have helmets and pads, but you need all the tools to be a football or cheerleader, and all those tools are gone.”
Despite the total loss, the athletes’ coaches and parents hope to come back stronger than ever. Several fundraising events are planned, including a 5K on Sunday and a “foam bubble party.”
While funds are being raised through their Facebook page, fire officials are working to determine what happened. Meanwhile, minimal training and drills are held on the adjacent field.