KENNER, La. -- Two fires and more than 1,700 power outages were affecting residents and businesses in Kenner after officials said an 18-wheeler hit a high-voltage power line Wednesday afternoon.
Officials said power lines were hit at Loyola Drive and West Esplanade Avenue.
Two fires happened at Champions Sports Bar and Orleans Furniture stores on Loyola Drive as a result of the power lines being disconnected.
Around 4:30 p.m. Entergy restored power to a large majority of customers north of West Esplanade, including Ochsner Hospital. Currently 850 customers remain without power between I-10 and mainly south of West Esplanade.
As result of the 18-wheeler striking the transformer pole, there is a pool of oil fueling the flames. Additional fire units have been contacted to assist in containing and extinguishing the fire to two centralized areas of the businesses.
Mayor Ben Zahn asked cars and pedestrians to avoid the area for safety reasons.
Around the same time, another unrelated power outage happened in Orleans Parish, affecting at least 2,500 people.
According to Entergy officials, high winds downed a power line, causing outages in parts of Lakeview, Mid-City and Hollygrove. Officials said they expected power to be restored by 3 p.m.
