State Watch

Fire erupts on the roof of the Louisiana Superdome

A fire erupted on the roof of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Tuesday, CBS affiliate WAFB reported. 

Videos circulated on social media showing flames and smoke pouring out of the lip of the stadium’s roof. 

One person was transported to a nearby medical facility for minor burns, the CBS affiliate reported. 

Doug Thornton, the vice president of ASM Global, which owns the stadium, told WAFB that the fire occurred on the “gutter tub” of the stadium, which runs around the base of the roof.

 

By about 1:00 p.m., the fire was under control, according to Nola.com, which reported that at least eight fire trucks responded to the blaze.

Use of the stadium had been paused after Hurricane Ida hit the region, and the fire occurred during cleaning and renovations to prepare for its reopening, WAFB reported. 

The Superdome’s main tenants, the New Orleans Saints, are expected to play in the stadium for their contest against the New York Giants on Oct. 3, according to Yahoo! Sports. 

Because of Ida, the Saints were forced to cancel their preseason home finale and play their regular-season home opener in Jacksonville, FL.

The Hill has reached out to the New Orleans Fire Department for more information.