Advertisement Massive fire rips through historic New Orleans home that was site of Mardi Gras tradition

A large fire ripped through a historic home on St. Charles Avenue, a stop on the parade route for Rex on Mardi Gras Day since the early 1900s.New Orleans firefighters battled the massive blaze at 2525 St. Charles Ave. for hours, as the fire grew to at least seven alarms due to the number of firefighters needed.New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell said in an update Wednesday that the fire was under control by 1:45 p.m. but hot spots still existed. The flames were a major issue, as were parts of the residence that were falling apart, adding to the danger of collapse.McConnell said it would be hours before the fire was fully extinguished.Photos shared Wednesday morning by the New Orleans Fire Department showed heavy smoke surrounding the home. Flames then erupted through the roof of the residence later Wednesday morning as firefighters tried to bring the situation under control.McConnell said the St. Charles Avenue fire is one of the largest in recent history. Officials battled a six-alarm fire in 2016 on Canal Street that ripped through a historic building, the most recent six-alarm fire the fire department tackled.Officials said it appears there may have been delayed reporting of the fire when it broke out, adding to the challenge for firefighters. McConnell said an investigation will determine the origin of the blaze."It's going to really come down to where the fire started and what was in the area," McConnell said.Investigators said the fire and smoke were coming from the basement and first floor when firefighters arrived. Additional fire crews were brought in after an elderly woman was safely removed and heavy yellow smoke began filling the basement.Officials said it's possible chlorine was involved in the fire. The homeowner told investigators that chlorine and pool products were stored in the basement.McConnell said the build of the residence added to the difficulty for firefighters because of how it was constructed and the spaces through which the fire could easily move. Officials evacuated a four-story apartment building to the right of the home because of the intensity of the flames burning through the roof and into the surrounding trees.More than 100 firefighters and first responders assisted. McConnell said firefighters from St. Bernard, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes also provided assistance.The New Orleans Fire Department itself had more than 80 personnel on the scene.Fire crews used large amounts of water from all sides to bring the blaze under control, officials said. Additional firefighters were brought in when the roof became fully involved in flames and exterior walls began to collapse.Officials confirmed that one firefighter was removed from the home after he became disoriented. He was evaluated by paramedics before returning to his fire team.The home, also known as the Grace Mansion, is where Rex, King of Carnival, has stopped to toast each year since 1907. The parade crosses over to the other side of St. Charles Avenue to stop at the house for the toast.According to officials, the home is filled with Rex memorabilia.The incident caused some traffic delays in the area, including a road closure on St. Charles Avenue between Second and Fourth streets.The American Red Cross responded to the scene.Relatives and family friends spoke about the significance and history of the home, which was built around 1885. It became a Carnival landmark in 1907 when the current homeowner's great-grandfather reigned as Rex.Officials said it's too early to tell what caused the massive blaze. No other injuries were reported. Updates will be released as the investigation continues.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!