The Advocate
NEW ORLEANS — A three-alarm fire that ravaged an Irish Bayou truck stop forced closures along Louisiana Highway 11 and Interstate 10 East Thursday, the New Orleans Fire Department said.
The NOFD said it received a call for a fire at the Irish Bayou Truck Stop and Casino at 3684 Ridgeway Boulevard just before 5 p.m. When firefighters and first responders arrived, they found the two-story building heavily engulfed in flames.
The gas station and casino was open at the time of the fire, but four customers and two employees were evacuated with no injuries reported. Firefighters attempted to put out the fire from inside the building but had to evacuate as the flames grew.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from extending to the multiple fuel pumps on site, but the convenience store, small casino and small restaurant housed at the truck stop were almost completely destroyed. The fire was under control just after 7:15 p.m.
At its peak, the NOFD said thick black smoke from the fire force the closing of Louisiana Highway 11 in both directions and the closing of Interstate 10’s exit to Highway 11.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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