NEW ORLEANS -- On Tuesday, smoke and flames pierced the Superdome's roof as crews cleaned and prepared the New Orleans sports and entertainment arenas for painting.
According to the New Orleans Fire Department, firefighters responded to the fire on the roof of the building shortly after 12:30 p.m. The fire was quickly put out.
New Orleans Emergency Management Services stated on Twitter that one person was being transported to the hospital with minor burns. Officials urged people to avoid the area.
Officials said that crews power washed the roof to prepare it for painting.
According to Doug Thornton, ASM Global's VP of stadiums, the fire occurred in Superdome roofing section "gutter tub", as stated by Thornton speaking with The Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Thornton said that they were still assessing the damage, but it didn't appear that the iconic New Orleans venue for entertainment and sports had suffered any structural damage.
A photo of firefighters working in the trench that separates Superdome roof and outer wall was posted to the emergency management Twitter account. They were spraying down the fire-blackened walls.
ASM Global manages Superdome. The Associated Press called the Superdome to inquire about its status but a spokesperson did not respond immediately.
ASM Global and LSED jointly stated that "This afternoon a fire broke out on the Caesars Superdome's exterior in the gutter tub of its roof." The fire was extinguished by the venue and NOFD first responders. Further investigation revealed that the roof was set on fire by a pressure washer. The damage is still being evaluated."
It has been a regular home venue for the NFL's New Orleans Saints, drawing large crowds. In recent years, the Superdome has hosted seven Super Bowls. It is also used for concerts and college football events.
The Saints will face the New York Giants in their next home game at Superdome on Oct. 3. The team's last preseason home game, scheduled for Aug. 28, was cancelled due to Hurricane Ida. It made landfall on the following day. The team has been training in the Dallas area since the storm. The Sept. 12 match against the Green Bay Packers was moved from Dallas to Jacksonville, Florida due to concerns about the city's infrastructure and Dome staff. However, the Dome was not damaged by Ida.
