WATCH: Pressure washer caught fire, ignited Superdome roof; 1 injured

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A pressure washer caught fire on the roof of the Caesars Superdome, sending flames and heavy black smoke into the New Orleans skyline around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Crews were on the iconic white roof resuming cleaning operations that were interrupted by Hurricane Ida. One worker suffered minor burns on his neck, arm, and chest.

Firefighters quickly discovered that the fire was in an extremely difficult place to fight. Several firefighters had to gear up and climb to the roof while they attacked the fire from both inside and outside of the dome.

Fox 8 Saints analyst Jeff Duncan said the fire appeared to have started in the “gutter tub” on the roof, where workers were using a high-powered pressure washer, according to a text message from Doug Thornton, Vice President of Stadiums for ASM Global, the parent company that manages the facility.

Flames and dark black smoke could be seen along the lip of the roof for nearly 15 minutes. The smoke was visible across New Orleans and turned to a lighter shade of gray around 12:50 p.m., indicating the blaze was being brought under control and extinguished. The fire was reported under control by city officials around 1:20 p.m.

A spokesperson says the damage is superficial and there appears to be no structural damage or impact to the integrity of the roof’s exterior skin. The building’s outer skin and roof remain watertight.

The fire is not expected to impact any future events.

The Saints’ home stadium is scheduled to be the site of the team’s Oct. 3 game against the New York Giants.

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