NEW ORLEANS — The Orleans Parish Civil District Court will remain closed until Ash Wednesday after a fire broke out on the first floor.
New Orleans Fire Department Captain Edwin Holmes says the fire was contained to one room where it started, but other areas were damaged by water and smoke.
Fire fighters still don’t know how the fire started. Right now, officials say it is suspicious.
“There’s no probable cause here,” Holmes said. “It couldn't have been accidental or most likely not any type of natural or electrical fire anything of that nature that's what causes it to be suspicious.”
On Monday, residents like Deborah Wilson didn’t know about the closure and walked up to the court to be met with a locked door.
“I wanted to use the clinic for some replying to cases,” Wilson said.
While investigators are trying to figure out what started the first, others wonder what will happen with their court date.
“I could've stayed home to work on some other things, other paths, but I came here to do some specific case related stuff and they're not opened,” Wilson said.
The Civil District Court may continue to operate through zoom or Skype, according to a court spokesperson. The Court will attempt to contact all parties and counsel to advise of the status of scheduled proceedings during this period.
The Clerk of Civil District Court will temporarily relocate it's Civil Filing location to 1340 Poydras Street on the 4th floor. You can still fax file your documents to 504-592-9128 or 504-592-9117. Attorneys can also e-file through the remote-access system.
The First City Court will hold eviction hearings at the Lakefront Airport on the 2nd floor beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The First City Court Duty Judge will also be available at this location.
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