VIDEO/PHOTO: Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are joining efforts to determine what sparked the fire that destroyed the historic Nottoway Plantation in Iberville Parish. The agency announced Friday on Facebook that it had deployed its National Response Team to assist. The specialized unit investigates large-scale incidents such as fires, explosions, and bombings and has responded to more than 900 scenes nationwide.
Staff members said they first saw smoke coming from the second floor on Thursday, May 15. When they returned after evacuating, the room was engulfed in flames. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours as flames spread through the 165-year-old structure. The roof collapsed, and by the time the fire was extinguished, only bricks and rubble remained.
The site, built in 1859, was one of Louisianaโs most recognizable antebellum landmarks and served in recent decades as a resort and museum. Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle called it a โcornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance.โ โThe loss of Nottoway is not just a loss for Iberville Parish, but for the entire state of Louisiana,” Daigle said. The site has been deemed a total loss. The ATF’s investigation is ongoing.
