A massive fire burned down the historic Nottoway Resort in Iberville Parish. NOLA.com
A large fire broke out Thursday at the 166-year-old Nottoway Resort in Iberville Parish. The flames started in the south wing of the house and quickly spread to the main building. The smoke rose high as fire trucks and emergency vehicles rushed to the scene.
Flames take over the entire house
Fire crews battled the flames late into the night. Strong winds made it worse by pushing the smoke and heat around. As the sun went down, most of the building had either burned down or collapsed. Only chimneys stood where the upper floors used to be. The northern wing and the back wall were gone. The front balcony had also fallen apart.
Firefighters face water shortage
Fire Chief Shaun Bordelon explained the biggest problem—lack of water. A ladder truck sprayed water from above, but it left less water for other crews. Firefighters took turns battling the flames, stepping back to cool off and rest from the intense heat.
Eyewitness saw it start
Matthew Morgan, the resort’s executive chef, first saw smoke from the gift shop. He ran toward the building with other staff. They grabbed fire extinguishers and tubs of water. But the fire moved fast. “I heard crackling beneath my feet,” said Morgan. “I dropped the tub and ran.”
He believes the fire began near the museum and theater rooms in the basement. Yellow smoke came up through the floors. Outside, the south wing’s walls were black, and burned shutters dripped water.
Quick emergency response
Help arrived within minutes. Fire departments from White Castle, Plaquemine, Bayou Goula, and others came quickly. Crews from nearby cities, including Baton Rouge, joined too. Later, they pulled water from the Mississippi River to help fight the fire.
No injuries reported
Thankfully, no guests were staying at the resort. No injuries have been reported so far.
History of Nottoway
Nottoway, recently renamed Nottaway Resort, served as a hotel, event space, and museum. It was built in 1859 for sugar planter John Hampden Randolph. The massive 64-room house stretched over 53,000 square feet. Architect Henry Howard designed it in Greek Revival and Italianate style.
It had many advanced features for its time. There were 22 columns, 165 doors, and 200 windows. It had gas lighting, flushing toilets, hot and cold water, and even a bowling alley for Randolph’s children.
Locals share their grief
People gathered near the levee as flames tore through the home. “To the public, it's just a house,” said Vanessa Boudreaux, Nottoway’s general manager. “But for us who worked and slept there, it was a home.”
Longtime maintenance worker Randy LaPrairie said he always feared a fire. “If this thing ever catches fire, I don’t think you’ll stop it,” he remembered saying years ago.
Nearby resident Janean Webber also shared her sadness. “It survived hurricanes and disasters, but a fire took it down,” she said.
