Central City in New Orleans faced a surprising turn of events this Saturday when a building collapsed at approximately 5:35 p.m., causing a substantial spread of debris and subsequently damaging several parked cars, as reported by WWLTV. The building, located in the 1400 block of Oretha Castle Haley Blvd near the intersection with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, saw its roof cave in and the entire second floor appear to have collapsed, this terrifying scene unfolded close to the cultural pulse point known as the New Orleans Jazz Market.
Onlookers and nearby inhabitants were left shaken by the abrupt structural failure no injuries have been reported thus far, despite the significant impact on the immediate vicinity and the potentially dangerous situation that unfolded, which included falling bricks that struck two vehicles and caused them to be nearly buried under the rubble, with FOX 8 Live providing imagery of the building's facade partially crumbled. According to property records cited by WWL Louisiana, this building is not new to the landscape, having stood since at least 1941 and last changing hands about 15 years ago, its history is as woven into the city as the jazz notes that float down from the nearby market.
As the New Orleans Police Department cordoned off the streets, cautioning locals to steer clear of the area, a statement obtained by WDSU from the New Orleans Fire Department confirms that no injuries have been reported, and witness accounts suggest the building was abandoned. The collapse was felt in its immediate surrounds, with claims of the event shaking nearby apartments and prompting evacuations from adjacent establishments such as the Treehouse NOLA.
The investigation into the cause of this unforeseeable disaster remains ongoing with the NOFD and The City of New Orleans Department collaborating in the inquiry, in the hope of uncovering why the structure gave way and precipitated such a chaotic scene, leaving onlookers bewildered and first responders working diligently to manage the aftermath and prevent further harm, the NOPD has said the streets in the area will be blocked off, NOLA Ready announced the intersection is closed until further notice.
