Community Risk

New Orleans Fire Destroys Home, Damages Five

Oct. 18, 2011

Oct. 17--ST. ROCH, New Orleans -- A four-alarm fire destroyed a house and damaged five others in a St. Roch neighborhood early Monday morning. Investigators believe vagrants are to blame. Around 2:30 more than 80 firefighters rushed to a house at 1339/41 Music Street. The fire quickly spread to several nearby houses, two with people living there. District Chief Addis Casey says neighbors told crews they saw two people and a dog living in the home at one point.

Source WGNO-TV, Metairie, La.

Oct. 17--ST. ROCH, New Orleans -- A four-alarm fire destroyed a house and damaged five others in a St. Roch neighborhood early Monday morning. Investigators believe vagrants are to blame.

Around 2:30 more than 80 firefighters rushed to a house at 1339/41 Music Street.

The fire quickly spread to several nearby houses, two with people living there.

District Chief Addis Casey says neighbors told crews they saw two people and a dog living in the home at one point.

"The building had no utilities. They didn't belong in the building. It was reported that they were using candles for lighting after dark. Probably an accidental fire because of the candles, because i doubt they needed anything for heating tonight," said Chief Casey.

A firefighter suffered 2nd degree burns while fighting the fire, but he's fine. He was immediately treated at the scene. The exact cause of this fire is still under investigation.