Vendredi

Fiery destruction was always in the cards for the huge abandoned building near the corner of Canal and Claiborne, but it came a few weeks earlier than expected last night. Preparation for the massive implosion planned for the former Grand Palace Hotel later this month might have caused last night's fire, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. Firefighters haven't determined an official cause, but reported that just before the fire, contractors used torches to cut holes to place explosives in order to prepare for the July 22 demolition.

Several acetylene and oxygen tanks also exploded during the scorcher, according to the Fire Department. As the fire reached two alarms, it forced the shutdown of Interstate 10 and many of the surrounding streets. The Interstate was reopened about 10:30 p.m. last night, but the Canal Street off ramp which will remain closed for some of Friday morning.

Just after 10:30 p.m. last night, New Orleans firefighters had the fire at the Grand Palace Hotel under control, according to NOFD. The fire was first observed about 8:20 p.m., when firefighters on their way from a call at a downtown hotel noticed heavy smoke coming from the building at Canal and Claiborne.

A total of three aerial trucks were used to contain the blaze, which broke out shortly after 3 p.m. The blaze, which visibly consumed the 16th and 17th floors of the hotel and poured smoke out onto the Interstate and through Mid-City, also spread to the fifth and the ninth floors, according to NOFD. In all, 45 firefighters contained the blaze.

Crews plan to head inside the structure this morning in an attempt to determine how the fire started. The building was scheduled to be demolished because it is in the LSU-VA Hospital footprint.