Firefighters worked for almost three hours to contain a smoky building fire in New Orleans Friday afternoon.
A ladder company spotted smoke coming from the one-story commercial building at 4033 Tulane Avenue at 12:13 p.m. and the captain requested a full assignment be dispatched. The building was occupied by two bars, the Bar Culture and Reinas Bar and Grill.
The second and third alarms were struck within 15 minutes, according to Capt. Edwin Holmes.
Firefighters evacuated the Crystal Inn hotel located next door as the fire grew. Crews also searched a vacant two-story office building adjacent to the bars.
As crews set up aerial ladders and Squrt booms, a fourth alarm was called when additional firefighters were needed to stop the fire from spreading.
Fire Superintendent Timothy McConnell said he was impressed “with the job done by our firefighters fighting such a difficult fire, especially the evacuation of the hotel and getting citizens clear of the fire on such a busy street.”
A total of 24 fire vehicles responded with 75 firefighters responded to the scene.
