Five-Alarmer Challenges New Orleans Firefighters

It took 101 firefighters, which is three-quarters of the department, to battle the blaze

Aug. 14, 2006

2 min read

Around 4 p.m. Saturday, New Orleans Firefighters were in the middle of a fight they would remember.

By 6 p.m., store owner Imad Hamdan was looking at the remains of his badly damaged business.

"I thought it was a little fire but when you come up, it was unbelievable. There's no words to it," said Hamdan.

Brother's Food Market, Subway Restaurant, and Bayou Bagelry all took hits, as did four of the firefighters. It took 101 firefighters, which is three-quarters of the department, to battle the blaze.

Three firefighters are being treated for injuries, and a fourth firefighter was injured. He was treated on the scene, and returned to the fire.

One person suffered back injuries, and two more shoulder injuries. The three were taken to Tulane Medical Center.

"We don't consider any of them critical, but we worry about them just the same," said Superintendent Charles Parent.

Cassidy Martin from the Winnfield Fire Department said news of the injuries hit him hard.

"It hurts. It really gets to you. You know, because we're all brothers. Even though they're from New Orleans, we're from Winnfield, they're all brothers to us," said Martin.