NEW ORLEANS — The 410 room Le Meridien Hotel was at 95% capacity Sunday afternoon, according to New Orleans firefighters, when the hotel had to be evacuated.
Firefighter say that they got the call at a little before 4:00 in the afternoon. They worked their way up the building’s 24 flights and found a fire in the mechanical room on the top floor.
More than 20 pieces of equipment and 82 firefighters responded to the scene.
According to the NOFD, ten firefighters were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Another four firefighters as seven hotel guests were assessed by paramedics at the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. As of 9:30 Sunday night, the hotel remained evacuated.
On May 13, the hotel issued the following statement:
We are grateful to the New Orleans Fire Department for their response Sunday afternoon. We have relocated all guests to alternate hotels in the area while we assess the situation. The cause of the fire is under Fire Department investigation, and we stand ready to assist as appropriate. It is too soon to estimate damages or understand other details. When we have more information, we will share it.