New Orleans Fire Department Battles Quickly Spreading Fire

Mar. 18—Five homes burned, seven residents were left homeless and three dogs were killed in a fire that spread from house to house in the Lower 9th Ward Tuesday afternoon, according to the New Orleans Fire Department.

No residents or firefighters were injured as the fire spread in and around the 1000 block of Charbonnet Street, according to NOFD.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire just before 4:20 p.m. after the first house caught on fire, according to the fire department. When they arrived about five minutes later, they found 1024 Charbonnet St. fully engulfed in flames, according to NOFD.

The residents who live at the address were not home when the fire started, according to the fire department.

Additional NOFD engines and another from nearby St. Bernard Parish were called in to help. But a strong wind allowed the fire to spread to the neighboring properties, according to the fire department.

The residents of a property next door at 1028-30 Charbonnet St. were able to escape safely, but three dogs were killed in the fire.

Flames also spread to 1020-22 Charbonnet St., the home on the other side of the house that first caught on fire. The resident was able to escape, but the fire left the home uninhabitable.

Two homes on Lamanche Street, behind the house that originally caught fire, were also damaged. One, at 1025 Lamanche St., was unoccupied. The residents of the other, at 1027 Lamanche St., were able to escape but their home was left uninhabitable.

In total, 18 NOFD units with 50 firefighters were sent to the scene, according to NOPD. It took until 5:23 p.m. to bring the fire under control, according to the fire department.

Fire officials said they believe the blaze began in a trailer parked near the first home but the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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