City of New Orleans, LA

03/06/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/06/2021 16:30

Three Alarm Fire at Vacant Building in Algiers

On Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) was dispatched on a report of a vehicle fire with persons trapped at 425 O'Bannon St. Arriving on the scene at 12:38 p.m. firefighters were confronted with a mid-size, single passenger SUV that had stuck a building across the street from the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy, burst into flames, and ignited the building. A full first and second alarm contingent of fire personnel and equipment was immediately requested at 12:39 p.m. and 12:40 p.m. respectfully. According to witnesses, the driver of the SUV loss control of his vehicle, veered off the road, drove through a field and struck the vacant building within the Federal City complex. Two men that witnessed the accident were able to pull the victim from his vehicle just as the fire began and prior to the arrival of Emergency Services personnel. The victim, an adult male approximately 30-40 years of age, was described as conscious but unresponsive when rescued. He has been transported to an area hospital for further evaluation. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.

A third alarm was requested at 1:41 p.m. after embers from the original fire building, a large vacant single-story, wood-frame building, flew onto and began to burn the roofing members of another building nearby. This large two-story brick exposure was also described as vacant and unoccupied. Firefighters used aerial apparatuses to soak the roof of the structure, while others searched the upper floor and attic to prevent the fire's spread. Nineteen NOFD units carrying forty-six Fire Operations personnel were used to bring this incident under control at 2:10 p.m.

Dispatched: 12:30 p.m. (Auto Fire)

Arrival: 12:38 p.m.

1st Alarm: 12:39 p.m.

2nd Alarm: 12:40 p.m.

3rd Alarm: 1:41 p.m.

NOFD Units: 19

Fire Ops Personnel: 46

Injuries: 1/Adult Male/Single vehicle accident/extent unknown

Cause: Auto accident and fire