An NFL stadium caught fire on Tuesday as crews worked to clear and prepare the facility for painting. According to the Associated Press, the roof of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana was seen with smoke and flames at 12:30 p.m. local time.
The New Orleans Fire Department responded quickly to the call and put out the flames. New Orleans Emergency Management announced that one person was injured and was sent to the hospital for “minor burns.”
“This afternoon a fire occurred on the exterior of the Caesars Superdome in the gutter tub of the roof,” the LSED/AGM Global said in a statement. “NOFD and venue first responders were dispatched immediately and extinguished the fire. Upon further investigation, it appears that a pressure washer is used to clean the roof that caught fire. Damage is still being assessed.”
BREAKING: Smoke and flames can be seen from @CaesarsDome right now. Emergency crews are heading to the scene now.
The Caesars Superdome is home to the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are not playing a regular-season match at the stadium due to Hurricane Ida. They have been practicing in Dallas.
Their home opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 12 was originally scheduled to be held in New Orleans, but it was moved to Jacksonville. The team will be returning to the Superdome on Oct 3, when they take on the New York Giants.
After being known as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for many years, Caesars Superdome has been renamed. The stadium was originally known as the Louisana Superdome when it opened in 1975.
Caesars Superdome is home to the Saints and also hosts the Sugar Bowl as well as the New Orleans Bowl. It has been home to seven Super Bowls and will host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.
“All of us at Caesars are proud to be part of New Orleans’ vibrant culture. We understand that the Caesars Superdome is more than an iconic venue, it’s the symbol of a resilient and innovative community,” Tom Reed, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said in a press release back in July.
“We’ve had a strong relationship with the New Orleans Saints for nearly two decades and we are thrilled with the opportunity to strengthen it and celebrate our commitment to the city, the state, and the entire Gulf Coast region.”