A somber discovery was made in Gentilly this weekend following a one-alarm fire that took place at a home near the intersection of Frenchman and Selma Streets, as reported by official press releases. The New Orleans Fire Department responded to a call on Saturday evening, finding a fire already in progress at a shed on Robin Street, which rapidly spread, threatening nearby structures. Despite the swift intervention by the seven NOFD units and 21 personnel attending, the blaze claimed an as-yet unidentified victim.
The incident began unfolding shortly before 5 p.m. last Saturday with a call received at 4:59 p.m., dispatched the next minute and first responders arriving by 5:05 p.m., according to a statement from the New Orleans Fire Department; the team worked quickly to contain the fire, which was under control at approximately 5:16 p.m., this quick response seemingly crucial in preventing further spread and potential loss of life, neighbors told authorities that an adult male often stayed in the shed that caught fire, his fate now under a veil of tragedy. During the aftermath of the blaze, firefighters encountered the unforeseen grim reality: a body, found on the floor of the original fire building.
The deceased has not been officially identified because the remains were badly damaged in the fire. Investigators from the fire and police departments were quickly on the scene to determine how the fire started and what led to the death hidden by the flames, as per the New Orleans Fire Department. While the fire caused significant damage, it mostly spared the duplex at 5125-27 Frenchman St. and protected the shed at 2142-44 Robin St. The investigation into the fire's cause and the person's death is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
