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7-alarm fire prompts air quality alert

The smoke from the fire traveled from St. Charles to Gentilly and may also impact air quality in the Central Business District, French Quarter, Treme, Mid-City, Fairgrounds, Seventh Ward, and St. Roch, the city says.

NEW ORLEANS — A 7-alarm fire on St. Charles Avenue has impacted the air quality in the area and residents are advised to take the proper steps to protect themselves.

The fire started around 7:45 a.m. and quickly escalated to a 7-alarm fire by 11:30 a.m. The fire destroyed a three-story Victorian-style mansion at 2525 St. Charles Avenue. The smoke from the fire could be seen for miles across the city. No one was injured in the fire.

The smoke from the fire traveled from St. Charles to Gentilly and may also impact air quality in the Central Business District, French Quarter, Treme, Mid-City, Fairgrounds, Seventh Ward, and St. Roch, the city says.

The smoke also caused a brief evacuation of City Hall after it set off the fire alarm.

 Residents, especially the elderly and people with respiratory issues, such as asthma, are encouraged to take the following actions to reduce exposure to smoke and particles:

-Stay indoors

-Keep doors and windows closed

-Set air-conditioning systems to re-circulate the air inside the building

-Avoid using exhaust fans if possible

As of 1:45 p.m.the fire was finally brought under control. NOFD Chief McConnell said crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to buildings near the home.

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