NEW ORLEANS — Another abandoned house went up in flames in the 7th Ward.
WWL Louisiana's Eleanor Tabone shared a story about a house fire at an abandoned home in the 7th Ward. Less than a week later, the abandoned house next door also caught fire.
Neighbors say they're over it. One resident who pays her rent and bills says she's ready to move after these two fires, and maybe not just off of Allen Street but out of New Orleans entirely.
Emma Anthony says, "I went to Walmart on the way we spotted the fire. My son said, 'Mama I hope that ain't on Allen'."
It took 67 New Orleans firefighters to get the abandoned house fire under control.
The fire spread to the house next door, scorching part of that dwelling. New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Roman Nelson says the heat was so intense that the siding of the house across the street started to buckle.
Superintendent Nelson said, "What we know is this row of homes, we had the fire last week, these homes were not lawfully occupied none of them had water or electrical meters."
The fire comes less than a week after the abandoned house next door was charred, he said, "Last week they had issues with someone jumping power off the poles the power was disconnected last week so we're not sure what the cause of this fire is but it is suspicious."
Superintendent Nelson says no one was inside at the time and there were no injuries. "We have to investigate, we don't know if someone came back and reconnected the power after Entergy disconnected it last week but we do know they disconnected all the illegal lines this week."
Sitting on her porch across the road, watching houses go up in flames is Emma Anthony. "I seen a lot of things, but I can't do this anymore," she said.
For 17 years she's lived on Allen Street, but after two abandoned homes were consumed by fire she says enough is enough. She said, "I'm tired, I can't go through another one."
If you were to drive down the 2600 block of Allen Street, you would see two burnt-out houses and two partially burnt houses. The others have smashed windows and broken doors, according to the city, the majority of these houses are abandoned."
City Councilman Eugene Green said, "The City addressing abandoned and open properties requires daily attention and the involvement of a multiplicity of agencies of government. Those who illegally occupy properties and damage them, as was done this weekend and today on Allen Street, must be prosecuted and penalized to the full extent of the law. However, those who are in true need can secure assistance from the City, and the Office of Homeless Services and Strategy has been in contact with those who truly seek assistance. Their concern for the safety of the people by they serve is commendable. I appreciate the members of the New Orleans Police Department's Fifth District for their work in making clear to the squatters the need to move out of the illegally occupied and dangerous properties. Their work has made both the squatters and the immediate community safer. Securing these properties is a priority of the City and of the Department of Code Enforcement. The City appreciates the patience of the members of this community during these challenging times. Nearby residents will see immediate progress relative to securing the properties, with a long term goal of the City facilitating the return of the properties to safe use."
Anthony said, "I understand people fall on hard times and have no where to go, but if you're going to do that, take care of where you are living, and that's not happening here."
She's calling on the city to take action, not tomorrow but yesterday, she said, "I am thinking about leaving New Orleans." She went on to say, "We paying taxes, I pay light, I pay rent, I pay water, I pay for internet... Me and my family have to suffer, other people on this block have to suffer."
The cause of Tuesday's house fire is being investigated.
Entergy New Orleans released the following statement:
“The theft of electricity and electrical equipment is illegal, and it is extremely dangerous. When criminals circumvent our meters to steal electricity from the grid, we have no way of monitoring their usage. We encourage residents to be safe, to obey the law, and to report suspicious or illegal activity.”
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