A two-alarm fire tore through a single-family home in New Orleans East on Wednesday afternoon, forcing four residents out and drawing a large response from the New Orleans Fire Department. The blaze at 4525 Charlene Dr. sent smoke over nearby yards, but the two adults who were home at the time escaped without injury, officials said. According to the New Orleans Fire Department, firefighters had the fire under control in about 20 minutes.
In a press release via New Orleans Fire Department, officials said the initial 911 call came in at 12:56 p.m. The first units arrived on scene at 1:03 p.m., and a second alarm was requested just four minutes later, at 1:07 p.m.
Altogether, NOFD dispatched 18 units and roughly 50 personnel and reported the fire was under control by 1:21 p.m. The release noted that the American Red Cross is assisting four displaced residents and that the immediate right-side neighboring house suffered mild to moderate exterior damage.
Crews, Timeline And Damage
NOFD crews moved quickly to contain the flames, then remained on scene to overhaul hot spots and check nearby structures for any additional damage. That rapid upgrade to a second alarm is in line with other recent multi-alarm responses used to bring extra apparatus and personnel to difficult fires, as reported by WDSU. Officials reported no civilian or firefighter injuries.
Investigation And Next Steps
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. Captain Edwin Holmes is listed as the press contact, and the department provided a media line at (504) 658-4719 for follow-up questions. Investigators are expected to continue their work at the scene, and the department urged residents to rely on official channels for updates.
The NOFD also reminds residents that smoke alarms save lives and that the city runs a free smoke-alarm installation program for Orleans Parish. Details on the program are available from the City of New Orleans. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the NOFD media line, the department said.
