(Photos courtesy of New Orleans Fire Department)
A fire erupted at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse site Monday morning as demolition crews cut steel beams at the structure near the corner of Canal and North Rampart streets, according to a New Orleans Fire Department official.
The fire was reported shortly after 8:30 a.m. at 1031 Canal Street, location of the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel building, according to New Orleans Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell.
Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes and were able to extend a boom from an NOFD ladder to reach the fire.
Demolition contractors were in the process of cutting steeling girders when sparks ignited roofing materials on one of the upper floors, sparking the fire, according to McConnell.
At least seven fire department units carrying 22 personnel and several urban search and rescue team members of LA-Task Force 1 responded to the scene
Operations personnel are bringing the incident under control, McConnell said.
No injuries were reported.
#NOFD Press release concerning this morning’s one alarm fire at the #hardrockcollapse site. pic.twitter.com/T3N2wtvrDD
— NOFD (@NOLAFireDept) September 28, 2020
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