NOLA Firefighters Battle Two-Alarm Blaze At Brechtel Country Club

From the City of New Orleans:

March 10, 2021

On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 5:49 pm, the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) responded to reports of a fire in a one-story masonry building at 3800 Behrman Pl. The first company arrived on the scene at 5:56 pm, reporting a building fully involved with fire. Firefighters immediately began an aggressive exterior attack on the fire with their onboard water supply. Due to the size of the blaze, external water sources were needed to continue long term fire operations.

This fire presented a number of challenges for crews at the scene. The fire building was located a significant distance away from the main thoroughfare in a heavily wooded area. Many of the trees and much of the brush surrounding the structure began to ignite. Firefighters also had limited water sources to utilize due to the fire hydrants in the area being located on the opposite side of Behrman Pl.

The New Orleans Police Department assisted by blocking traffic on Behrman Pl. in both directions so that firefighter’s water supply lines would not be damaged by rush hour commuters. Once sufficient water supplies were secured, firefighters were able to implement aerial apparatus to assist in suppressing the fire.

The incident commander knew this fire would exceed the ability for just the one alarm companies to handle alone. A second alarm was called for 6:15 pm. less than twenty minutes after the first company arrived on scene. Fire crews were able to gain control of the fire once additional resources arrived on the scene. Unfortunately, the fire building was a total loss.

Eighteen NOFD units carrying forty Fire Operations personnel were deployed to the scene of this fire. The fire was placed under control at 7:35 pm. There are no reports of any civilian injuries. One firefighter was taken to an area hospital for evaluation due to an elevated heart rate while on the scene. The New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) also assisted in mitigation of this incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

911 Call Received: 5:49 p.m.
1st Alarm: 5:49 p.m.
On Scene: 5:56 p.m.
2nd Alarm: 6:15 p.m.
Under Control: 7:35 p.m.
NOFD Personnel: 40
NOFD Units: 18
Cause: Under Investigation
Injuries: Firefighter (Elevated Heart

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