Superdome Roof Catches Fire Amid Power Washing

Tuesday’s fire at the Caesar’s Superdome resulted in one person on the scene receiving “minor burns.”

According to WWL-TV in New Orleans, the three-alarm fire — which started shortly after noon and could be seen along with a plume of black smoke — at the New Orleans Saints’ stadium started when a piece of power-washing equipment caught fire. The fire reportedly spread to the bottom of the room and into insulation in a rain gutter.

“Upon further investigation it appears that a pressure washer being used to clean the roof caught fire. Damage is still being assessed,” reads a statement from the Louisiana Stadium and Expedition District and ASM Global, according to The Associated Press. “The fire was contained to the exterior gutter system surrounding (the) Superdome, and only a small area of the roof suffered minimal damage. Pressure washing was underway to clean the roof before a planned re-coating of the entire roof itself. Any fire damage will be addressed during the re-coating process.”

A total of 23 units and 51 firefighters responded to the scene and deemed the fire under control at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday. New Orleans Fire Department spokesman Michael Williams said, “It was pretty difficult. You’re wearing 75 pounds of gear, it’s an emergency situation and besides the fire danger, you have the danger of falling off the roof of the Superdome.”

New Orleans EMS said one person was transported to University Medical Center with minor burns.

According to venue and event management company ASM Global, the fire started in the Superdome’s “gutter tube” and didn’t cause any structural damage to the stadium. The roof reportedly remains watertight and events will continue to be held at the stadium.