A three-alarm fire burned at a fraternity house near Tulane University Sunday morning, sending 21 New Orleans Fire Department units to the scene.
The fire broke out at the Zeta Psi house at 716 Broadway before sunrise. Arriving firefighters reported flames coming from the back of the two-story structure and immediately sounded a second alarm.
A third alarm was called in once firefighters were able to gain entry and noted that the fire had made its way to the attic.
One NOFD fire captain was injured when he and another firefighter fell through a floor in the rear of the structure. He was taken to a local hospital with what is believed to be an injury to the shoulder or upper arm.
A second firefighter was treated for exhaustion and dehydration but returned to duty.
Officials said the fire was under control about 6:30 a.m. -- a little more than 90 minutes after the initial call.
According to the residents and the Incident Commander, the fire is believed to have started in or around the kitchen area. One resident said once he noticed the fire alarm going off he, came downstairs to find the entire kitchen in flames.
The house had been decorated for Halloween, and tarps and debris hindered firefighters' response efforts.
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