A four-alarm fire broke out Wednesday night, displacing as many as 175 individuals from a two-story apartment building in New Orleans East.
Flames roared from the Gentilly Ridge apartments, next to Banner Chevrolet in the 6000 block of Chef Menteur Highway at about 7 p.m. There were no immediate reports of injuries, but dozens of residents, some with only a few belongings in hand, stood outside waiting for help from the American Red Cross while firefighters moved in and out of the building.
01/13/2021. 4- Alarm Fire. Chef & Downman Road. Photos by Chief C Mickal, NOFD Photo Unit.
Posted by New Orleans Fire Department on Wednesday, January 13, 2021
The fire still wasn't under control as of 10:40 p.m. A total of 60 firefighters on scene had to first evacuate the residents before fighting the blaze, which had quickly spread through the attic to both sides and across the building's courtyard.
Residents weren't sure where they would sleep.
"It's hard, but I'll get through it," said one displaced resident, standing in a nearby bus shelter with a handful of neighbors. "There will be people to help us."
Denise Richardson, wrapped in a blanket given to her by first responders, said she was alerted to the blaze when neighbors knocked on her door. When she quickly evacuated, all she could see beyond the smoky air were flames.
"I'm homeless now," Richardson said, waiting for the Red Cross.
01/13/2021. 6000 Chef Hwy. 4- Alarm Fire. Photos by Chief C Mickal, NOFD Photo Unit.
Posted by New Orleans Fire Department on Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Another resident, who would not give her name, said the fire didn't surprise her. She said the apartments are old, and she questioned their electrical wiring.
She planned to be put up wherever the bus took her on Wednesday night, but after that she didn't know where she and her child would sleep.
"My child's stuff is in there. It's gone," she said. "What are we going to do?"
Interim Fire Superintendent Roman Nelson said investigators did not immediately determine how the fire started.
"There are 104 units and 90 are occupied," he said, "and there is a section in the back that may still be habitable."
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