February 25, 2015 | From New Orleans Fire Department
Four Alarm Fire in the Garden District
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 12:03 pm, the New Orleans Fire Department received a call for a smoke alarm from an alarm company for 1239/1241 Philip Street. The officer responding on the first-due engine company reported smoke in the area from a block away and upon arrival at 12:05pm he requested additional resources and reported heavy smoke coming from a three-story wood-frame home. Firefighters immediately made an interior attack on the fire and a search for family members that may still be inside. The residence is home to three people but, only one person was home at the time the fire occurred. That resident, an elderly woman, stated that she exited her bathroom from taking a shower and found her home filled with smoke. She escaped unharmed.
A second alarm was struck at 12:11 pm. Firefighters encountered heavy fire on the third floor living area and attic spaces. They continued to fight the blaze which had spread to other areas of the home. A third alarm was struck as firefighters worked to keep the massive blaze contained. Eventually, a fourth alarm was called and flames progressed through the roof and smoke engulfed the neighborhood. After more than 30 minutes without achieving any progress against the fire, orders were issued to evacuate the building and exterior firefighting tactics were initiated. It took nearly two hours before the fire was placed under control at 1:52 pm.
Two firefighters sustained minor burns to their face and neck while fighting the fire. They were treated and released by New Orleans Emergency Services. Both firefighters remained on on-duty at the scene and continued in the firefighting efforts.
No other injuries were reported.
The third floor was devastated by the blaze and although the first two floors of the more than one and a quarter century old home suffered heavy water damage they were spared destruction from the fire due to the determined efforts of New Orleans Firefighters. Superintendent McConnell commented, “The men and women of the NOFD did a heroic job making a quick and aggressive interior attack, unfortunately the fire had progressed too far prior to the department’s arrival.” New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, New Orleans Police Department and the American Red Cross responded to this incident and assisted the NOFD.
Received: 12:05pm Second call -- smoke in family dwelling
1st Alarm: 12:05 pm
On Scene: 12:09 pm
2nd: Alarm: 12:11pm
3rd: Alarm 12:21pm
4th: Alarm: 12:30 pm
Firefighter evacuate building call at 12:32 pm
Under Control: 1:52 pm
Injuries: 2 firefighters with minor burns