The site of the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel in downtown New Orleans is on fire. The New Orleans Fire Department is on the scene.
City spokesperson Trey Caruso confirmed that the fire started when debris caught fire as demolition workers cut beams with torches.
“There is minimal concern that the fire can spread beyond the Hard Rock site,” a city press release said
The city is advising residents to avoid the area due to the heavy black smoke. Residents and businesses nearby are advised to shut off external air intakes, turn off air conditioners, and to limit smoke from being brought indoors.
The building partially collapsed last October, killing three workers and injuring 18 others. It took nine months for the remains of two of the victims — Quinnyon Wimberly and Jose Ponce Arreola — to be recovered from the site.
The city is suing the owner of the hotel project, Mohan Kailas, his partners and contractors.
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