NOLA FD Responds To Fire In Abandoned Apartment Complex

From the City of New Orleans:

February 19, 2021

On Friday, February 19, 2021, at 4:27 am, the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) responded to a report of fire in a three-story abandoned apartment complex located at 13502 Chef Menteur Hwy.

When firefighters arrived on the scene at 4:31 a.m., they saw flames in the front of the large complex near the center in an elevator shaft. Before firefighters could enter the building, an adult male standing on the third floor began to call to them. The adult male then met firefighters on the first floor before they could enter the structure. Fire crews began to extinguish the fire and search the building for any other people.

The man stated he was homeless and had been living in the complex for some time. The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) detained the man for further questioning. New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) checked and released the man.

Firefighters expanded their primary search because about 45 minutes into the incident, the man stated he hadn’t seen his girlfriend for some time and she may still be in the building. No one else was found in the structure at the time of the fire.

Sixteen NOFD units carrying thirty-eight Fire Operations personnel were deployed to the scene of this fire. The fire was placed under control at 5:30 am. The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) assisted in mitigation of this incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Call Received: 4:27 a.m.
1st Alarm: 4:27 a.m.
On Scene: 4:31 a.m.
2nd Alarm: 4:37 a.m.
Under Control: 5:30 am
NOFD Personnel: 38
NOFD Units: 16
Cause: Under Investigation
Injuries: None Reported

This press release was produced by the City of New Orleans. The views expressed are the author's own.