NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A stubborn six-alarm fire blanketed part of downtown New Orleans in eye-stinging smoke early Wednesday and forced the closure of historic Canal Street between the city’s central business district and the French Quarter.
The blaze broke out in a largely empty four-story building and damaged an adjacent building. Flames were no longer visible and smoke had greatly diminished by daybreak, but firefighters kept steady streams of water pouring onto the structures from ladder trucks and from the street.
Ground-floor businesses, including a cellphone repair shop and a beauty supply store, were closed when the fire was reported around 3:20 a.m., and only one person in the building at the time, fire chief Timothy McConnell said.
No injuries were reported and no evacuations were ordered. But some nervous residents of an apartment building around the corner decided to get out amid acrid smoke and temperatures in the 40s.
Resident Michael Mallin said fire alarms in the apartment building went off around 3:30 a.m.
“They told us it was safe to stay,” neighbor Kate Otto said. “We decided we needed to get out.”
The cause of the fire was under investigation. The firefighting effort and cleanup were expected to keep the broad boulevard, which includes streetcar lines, closed throughout the day. Commuters were urged to avoid the area, and buses were put into service to make up for the loss of part of one streetcar route.
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(Photo Source: AP)
