New Orleans firefighters at building fire on Canal Street

Ground-floor businesses, including a cellphone fix shop and a beauty supply store, were closed when the fire was reported about 3:20 a.m., and only one person in the building at the time, McConnell said.

Fifth and six alarms were dispatched at 4:00 a.m. and 4:27 a.m. respectively, as the fire began to spread to neighboring businesses.

“The key here was that the fire was well advanced before we were ever notified”, the chief said. “A collapse is definitely a concern”, fire chief Timothy McConnell said. The fire department the blaze is at a commercial building.

Instead, the chief said, “We got a call from somebody who saw it from the street”.

No injuries were reported, and no evacuations were ordered.

Firefighters in New Orleans continue to battle a stubborn six-alarm fire in buildings on historic Canal Street. Both were around the corner escaping eye sting smoke from the fire. High flames and thick smoke were greatly diminished by daybreak, but the fire spread to an adjacent building and kept 90 firefighters busy all morning. McConnell said the fire was under control at 11:50 a.m.

Commuters have been advised to avoid the area while firefighters battle the blaze, according to Fox 8 Live.

Riders should look for buses instead of streetcars in this area.