A towering plume of smoke had Leonidas residents on edge Tuesday afternoon as a dark cloud rose near the Mississippi River by the Orleans-Jefferson parish line. The exact source of the smoke was not immediately known, and officials had yet to release details.
According to WDSU, the smoke was clearly visible along the parish line. The station reported that it had contacted both the New Orleans Fire Department and the Jefferson Fire Department for information and said a news crew was headed to the scene.
What Officials Are Saying
WDSU reported that there was still "no word on what caused the fire" and that officials had not yet provided details about possible injuries or evacuations. The outlet noted it had requested updates from both local fire departments and planned to share more as crews relayed information from the scene.
Why Leonidas Neighbors Are On Edge
The smoke may be new, but the unease is not. The Leonidas neighborhood has seen several unsettling incidents in recent months, so any major plume over the river tends to get attention fast.
In one recent case, the discovery of human remains on Willow Street in February led to an NOPD investigation, underscoring why locals keep a close eye on unusual riverfront activity and anything that smells like trouble, literally or otherwise.
This story will be updated as reporters and fire officials release new information. In the meantime, if you see heavy smoke or smell a strong burning odor near the river, avoid the area and call 911 for emergencies.
