New Orleans firefighters battled a huge 5-alarm fire at the Market Street Wharf in the Lower Garden District.
The fire started around 9:30 a.m. and burned for several hours. Flames and plumes of smoke could be seen from as far away as Slidell and Kenner.
Firefighters battled the blaze from the ground, air and water. For the first time in a year, fire boats battled the blaze from the Mississippi River and helicopters dropped water from the air.
There was a train with about 20 tankers near the fire. The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad wasn't sure what was in the tankers.
Officials with the Port of New Orleans said the wharfs had been empty for years and the warehousesWharfs had been empty for years and there were plans to demolish them according to the Port of New Orleans.
The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad said it wasn't concerned about tanker cars that could be seen near the scene of the fire.
The cause of the fire is not known.
One firefighter was reportedly taken to Tulane Hospital after he complained of chest pain.
WDSU has several crews on the scene and will bring you continuous updates on WDSU.com and live reports on NewsChannel 6.
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