Recalled stadium lights found in RI

EXETER, R.I. (WPRI) - Recalled stadium lights, known to have fallen down on ball fields across the country, have been found on a little league field in Rhode Island and more may be out there.

The Problem:

Stadium lights shed light on fields everywhere for players and spectators, but some of these massive steel lights have cracked under pressure and have come tumbling down.

It's happened nine times according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

It happened on a football field in Norfolk, Virginia, at a high school in Texas, and in Worcester, Mass. to name a few.

Whitco Lights in RI

The Target 12 Investigators have discovered some of the recalled lights in Exeter, Rhode Island. The Texas company involved in the recall, Whitco, sold the league six stadium lights for $80,000. They were installed in 2004.

Now, the poles in Exeter and all Whitco poles across the country must be inspected.

The president of the Exeter Little League, Ron Patalano, allowed Target 12 to watch the inspection first hand.

In all, six poles were inspected and two failed.

"So what it could do eventually is cause enough stress in this crack where it goes all the way around and the pole would fall," Patalano said.

"My guess is, until we can verify that the poles are safe, we're not going to use the field," added Patrick Moore, Stadium Light Inspector.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Whitco poles were also sold to a customer in Woonsocket, but because those poles were under 70 feet tall, they are not part of the recall.

However, there could be more of the dangerous poles out there.

The government admits it may not have a complete list of Whitco customers because Whitco is no longer in business.

The C.P.S.C. said any town or school with stadium lights should check who made them. If it's Whitco, they should be inspected.

Unfortunately, because that company is out of business, it's the towns who are left footing the bill.