WATCH: Fire breaks out at iconic Superdome in New Orleans as flames and smoke seen billowing across city
One person was injured after a fire broke out on the roof at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans before the blaze was brought under control, local media have reported.
Footage shared on social media showed flames and black smoke billowing from the stadium, which is in the Central Business District area of the city and is home to NFL team the New Orleans Saints.
The fire was also seen from a distance by motorists in the area.
The Superdome venue has a capacity of around 75,000 fans for football games, and is a multi-purpose center used by a host of other teams and businesses.
#BREAKING There appears to be a fire on the roof of the @CaesarsDome#NewOrleans#Superdomepic.twitter.com/RwMwsjFWSU
— Kelsey Davis (@KelseyDavisNews) September 21, 2021
BREAKING: New Orleans, Louisiana: smoke seen billowing from Superdome Stadium in New Orleans.Fire personnel are currently responding to a fire at the Superdome, a large multi-purpose stadium in downtown New Orleans. Live footage shows the fire may be on the roof. pic.twitter.com/FXtkuVLtPb
— Personal Blog Media News (@pbmnews) September 21, 2021
Fire @ the Superdome #NOLA@WWLTV@wdsupic.twitter.com/FiqgrUbcFV
— Henry Contreras (@Tito_con3ras) September 21, 2021
The New Orleans Fire Department said it had responded to the incident at just before 1pm local time, but no immediate details were made available, according to US media.
Several people appeared to be on the roof in the vicinity of the fire in clips shared on social media.
Fox 8 Live reported that renovations to the roof of the venue had recently restarted following an interruption by Hurricane Ida.
Well that’s not good. Superdome on fire 😳 (via @Johnny_Pawny) pic.twitter.com/oCbKrhhLtG
— Overtime (@overtime) September 21, 2021
The venue is among the most iconic in US sports and was previously renamed to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome after sponsorship rights were sold in 2011.
This July it was renamed again to the Caesars Superdome when those rights were bought by casino and hotel giant Caesars Entertainment.
Local reporter Jeff Duncan quoted a Superdome official as saying that the fire had originated “in the gutter tub” on the roof while workers were pressure washing it, but that the incident is under control and the structural integrity of the building was not compromised.
Doug Thornton, the VP of stadiums for ASM Global which manages the Superdome, tells me via text that the fire at the stadium started “in the gutter tub” on the roof while workers were there pressure washing it and “is under control.” NOFD is on the scene.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) September 21, 2021
Here’s a closeup of the @NOLAFireDept working a fire on the @CaesarsDome roof this afternoon. The fire is now under control. One patient transported with minor burns. 🚒🧯👨🚒 pic.twitter.com/qundJjqDaY
— NOLA Ready (@nolaready) September 21, 2021
It was later reported that around 70 employees were working inside the building at the time of the fire and were evacuated, but were subsequently allowed back inside.
One worker is said to have been transported from the scene with minor burns to their face, arms and chest, although is expected to recover.