Tag: French Quarter

New Orleans SWB concludes investigation into Dec. 16 electrical fault explosion on Dauphine Street; points at Entergy to find root cause

The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board on Feb. 19 concluded its end of the investigation into the cause of a sudden explosion on Dauphine Street last December, launching several manhole covers into the air and igniting a nearby car.

The explosion occurred at approximately 5 a.m. on Dec. 16 in the 500 block of Dauphine Street, near the intersection of Toulouse and Dauphine, according to the New Orleans Fire Department.

A video taken by an eyewitness was published by WWL-TV on Dec. 16 and shows the front end of a car on fire.

Causes of the explosion include a sewer methane explosion to a faulty Entergy electrical line, according to city officials.

In coordination with Entergy, the SWB launched a process-of-elimination investigation into the explosion’s cause days later, said Executive Director Ghassan Korban.

During the investigation, the SWB learned that the sewer main lines were intact and contained no detectable amount of combustible gas, Korban said.

There was high water in the Entergy Vault, which was above the SWB’s sewage level, which prevented liquid waste collected by the SWB from flowing into the vault, Korban added.

Additionally, Korban said, the sewer line on St. Louis Street was cleaned and inspected, which found no breaks or intrusions.

“It is logical for the agency that owns the vault where the explosion occurred to be responsible for determining the root cause of the explosion,” Korban said. “In the interest of public safety, we stand ready to assist our partners as they continue to search for the cause.”

Identity sought for man who allegedly punched sign, threw food at bar patrons and staff on Dauphine Street

Courtesy of the NOPD.

New Orleans Police is asking the public to help locate and identify a man wanted in connection to an alleged Feb. 16 criminal damage incident that occurred on Dauphine Street.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. at a bar in the 400 block of Dauphine Street when an unidentified male reportedly threw food at patrons and staff, then punched a sign at the business, New Orleans Police said.

The man caused approximately $750 in damages, according to New Orleans Police.

Anyone who may know the identity or location of the pictured subject is asked to contact Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Citizens with information that can help solve a crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

30-foot pop-up inflatable poo emoji appears in the French Quarter

(Photo: Imgur)
A 30-foot-tall inflatable poo emoji popped up in the French Quarter on Friday and was placed there by a company trying to bring brand awareness to a product that masks the smell of feces.

The Addison, Texas-based company Poo-Pourri brought its inflatable pile of poo to the 500 Decatur St. parking lot, where it attracted dozens of onlookers who snapped selfies in front of the emoji over the weekend.

The inflatable pile was a part of a cross-country Giant Poo tour that started in Dallas in October 2019 and made its way to New Orleans for a three-day stop.

For 12-hours each day between Feb. 28 and March 1, participants entered the inflatable poo house where they encountered a “transformative” video production experience of shit and dropping the “negative shit you’ve been holding on to.”

More information can be found at giantpoo.com.

NOPD reports stolen Ruger handgun in North Peters Street vehicle burglary

New Orleans Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a handgun that was reported stolen on Feb. 11 following an alleged vehicle burglary on North Peters Street.

The victim’s vehicle was parked in an open parking lot in the 300 block of North Peters Street when an unknown suspect reportedly shattered the rear passenger window and removed a Ruger Highpoint handgun from the center console, according to police.

The handgun’s serial number is P1847281.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Callers can also contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

Police search for suspect who allegedly robbed Keys Fuel Mart on Feb. 13 wearing hunting camouflage

Surveillance camera footage of an alleged suspect who robbed the Keys Fuel Mart gas station on Feb. 13. Courtesy of the NOPD.

The New Orleans Police are searching for a suspect wanted in connection to an alleged Feb. 13 armed robbery at the Keys Fuel Mart gas station on North Rampart Street.

The robbery occurred at about 12:31 a.m. when a suspect wearing hunting camouflage entered the Keys Fuel Mart in the 1100 block of North Rampart Street and displayed a handgun at the clerk, New Orleans Police said.

The suspect handed a white plastic bag to the clerk, who filled it with an unknown amount of cash and handed it back to the suspect, police said.

Courtesy of the NOPD.

The suspect then fled the scene up Governor Nicholls Street toward North Claiborne Avenue, then unknown after that, New Orleans Police said.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD First District detectives at 504-658-6010. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.