Jefferson Parish firefighters were battling a massive fire at the old Celotex office building on Fourth Street in Marrero late Saturday.
Photos circulating on social media showed the flames and smoke from the fire were visible from a distance. Several local fire departments, including the State Fire Marshal's Office, were on the scene, said Jefferson Parish Council Chairman Chris Roberts.
Fire Marshal Deputy Chief Brant Thompson said investigators were interviewing neighboring property owners to determine whether there had been any activity at the two-story complex. Officials were also focused on determining whether any one is inside the building or injured as a result of the fire, Thompson said.
Thompson added that heavy equipment had been brought in to support search efforts. Firefighters were not done extinguishing the blaze as of midnight, he said.
Celotex used to produce fiberboard insulation, but the company abandoned its operations in Marrero due to damage from Hurricane Katrina. Thompson said that it did not appear there was any electrical service to the vacant complex.
No other details were immediately available.
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