The resolve of everyone in New Orleans has been tested again, this time by Hurricane Ida and its aftermath.
On Tuesday, one of the fixtures of the city, the Superdome, saw a two-alarm fire break out on the roof of the home of the New Orleans Saints.
#BREAKING: Fire ignites on Superdome roof. Follow live at https://t.co/gmkeP1kO7H pic.twitter.com/2ajrsilStF
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) September 21, 2021
While the cause of the fire was not immediately known, several workers could be seen atop the stadium’s iconic white roof. Cleaning and renovations to the roof after its recent corporate re-branding is believed to have recently resumed after being interrupted by Hurricane Ida.
Fox 8 Saints analyst Jeff Duncan said the fire appeared to have started in the “gutter tub” on the roof, where workers were using a high-powered pressure washer, according to a text message from Doug Thornton. Thornton is the Vice President of Stadiums for ASM Global, the parent company that manages the facility.
Flames and dark black smoke could be seen along the lip of the roof for nearly 15 minutes. The smoke was visible across New Orleans and turned to a lighter shade of gray around 12:50 p.m., indicating the blaze was being brought under control and extinguished.
Due to the damage to the region by Hurricane Ida, the Saints played their home opener against the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville, Fl.
Their next home game is currently scheduled for Oct. 3 against the New York Giants.
NOW – Roof of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans is on fire.pic.twitter.com/b0bNJJTCAr
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 21, 2021