Latest news with #ChrisDaigle
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Fire engulfs much of Louisiana plantation house with deep legacy of slavery
Flames ripped through a massive mansion in Louisiana, destroying much of the historic structure that was used as a plantation house when it was completed in 1859 before eventually becoming 'a place of reflection, education and dialogue' given the more than 150 people who were enslaved there before the abolition of slavery in the US, authorities said. The fire that engulfed the Nottoway plantation house on Thursday devastated the building along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Chris Daigle, the president of Iberville parish (Louisiana's term for county), said on social media. Nearly a dozen fire departments from surrounding towns battled the blaze, he said. No injuries were reported. Before the fire, the mansion was a resort and event venue, and its website described it as 'the south's largest remaining antebellum mansion'. Daigle called it 'a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance'. In a statement on Facebook, Daigle also made it a point to touch on the structure's history of racial injustice during a time when enslaved Black people helped build the site and operate the sugar plantation that surrounded it. In 1860, 155 enslaved people were held at the property, according to National Park Service records. 'While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue,' Daigle said. 'Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era,' he added. 'It stood as both a cautionary monument and a testament to the importance of preserving history – even the painful parts – so that future generations can learn and grow from it.' The 53,000-sq-ft (4,900-sq-meter) home on a former sugar plantation about 65 miles (105km) north-west of New Orleans had a three-story rotunda adorned with giant white columns and hand-carved Italian marble fireplaces, according to a description on its website. The mansion's owner, Louisiana attorney Dan Dyess, said in a written statement that the fire had led to a 'total loss' after all the time and money he invested in the building. 'We are devastated and heartbroken for this loss,' he said. 'This was my dream that has now been dashed.' Photos from local news outlets showed a giant orange wall of fire consuming the upper portion of the rotunda and sending a plume of thick smoke into the sky. The fire has been contained, and no other properties were harmed, said Maj Monty Migliacio of the Iberville parish sheriff's office. Other structures on the grounds have been preserved, parish officials said. 'We are at the beginning phases of the investigation, we don't know how the fire began and our objective is to determine how it started,' said Ken Pastorick, the public affairs director for Louisiana's office of state fire marshal.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire decimates Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana: What we know so far
Crews continued to douse water onto Louisiana's Nottoway Plantation on May 16, local media reported, a day after a devastating fire broke out at the mansion. Photos published by local outlet WVUE showed the home, which dates back to the antebellum South and was once home to slaves, had virtually been ruined by the fire that sparked in Iberville Parish on May 15. The blaze began sometime around 2 p.m. local time and no guests were present at the time, according to the New Orleans Advocate and WBRZ. In a Facebook post on May 15, Chris Daigle, president of Iberville Parish's government, said there were no injuries reported in the fire. "Today, Iberville Parish mourns the loss of one of its most iconic landmarks," Daigle wrote, adding that the site dates back to 1859 and is the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the South. The estate had been used as a museum and wedding venue prior to the fire. "The loss of Nottoway is not just a loss for Iberville Parish, but for the entire state of Louisiana," Daigle said. "It was a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance." USA TODAY has reached out to the Iberville Parish Fire & Emergency Services Department for comment. Nottoway Plantation sits on a 31-acre property in White Castle, a town in Iberville Parish. The house was built in 1859 and owned by prominent Louisiana planter John Hampden Randolph, according to Louisiana State University. The property housed Randolph's family as well as his slaves. Prior to the blaze, the property was used as a museum and wedding venue. In addition to the property's main mansion, there are several ballrooms, cottages, a tennis court and other amenities on site. "While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue," Daigle wrote on Facebook. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nottoway Plantation fire: What we know about Louisiana mansion blaze
Toronto Sun
16-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Fire destroys sprawling mansion on former Louisiana sugar plantation
Published May 16, 2025 • 2 minute read Fire crews move in a line around the fully engulfed Nottoway Plantation on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in White Castle, La. Photo by Michael Johnson / The Advocate via AP WHITE CASTLE, La. — Flames ripped through a massive mansion in Louisiana, destroying much of the historic structure that was used as a plantation house when it was completed in 1859, authorities said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The fire that engulfed the Nottoway Plantation House on Thursday devastated the building along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle said on social media. Nearly a dozen fire departments from surrounding towns battled the blaze, he said. No injuries were reported. Before the fire, it was a resort and event venue, and its website described it as 'the South's largest remaining antebellum mansion.' Daigle called it 'a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance.' The 53,000-square-foot (4,924-square-meter) home on a former sugar plantation about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans included a three-story rotunda adorned with giant white columns and included hand-carved Italian marble fireplaces, according to a description on its website. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The mansion's owner, Louisiana attorney Dan Dyess, said in a written statement that the fire had led to a 'total loss' after all the time and money he invested in the building. 'We are devastated and heartbroken for this loss,' he said. 'This was my dream that has now been dashed.' Photos from local news outlets showed a giant orange wall of fire consuming the upper portion of the rotunda and sending a plume of thick smoke into the sky. The fire has been contained, and no other properties were harmed, said Maj. Monty Migliacio of the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office. Authorities were investigating the cause of the fire, he added. In a statement on Facebook, Daigle touched on the structure's history of racial injustice during a time when enslaved Black people helped build the home and operate the sugar plantation that surrounded it. In 1860, 155 enslaved people were held at the property, according to National Park Service records. 'While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue,' Daigle said. 'Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era,' he added. 'It stood as both a cautionary monument and a testament to the importance of preserving history _ even the painful parts — so that future generations can learn and grow from it.' Celebrity Ontario Toronto Maple Leafs Celebrity Toronto Maple Leafs
Washington Post
16-05-2025
- Washington Post
Fire destroys a sprawling mansion on a former Louisiana sugar plantation
WHITE CASTLE, La. — Flames ripped through a massive mansion in Louisiana, destroying much of the historic structure that was used as a plantation house when it was completed in 1859, authorities said. The fire that engulfed the Nottoway Plantation House on Thursday devastated the building along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle said on social media. Nearly a dozen fire departments from surrounding towns battled the blaze, he said. No injuries were reported.
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fire destroys a sprawling mansion on a former Louisiana sugar plantation
WHITE CASTLE, La. (AP) — Flames ripped through a massive mansion in Louisiana, destroying much of the historic structure that was used as a plantation house when it was completed in 1859, authorities said. The fire that engulfed the Nottoway Plantation House on Thursday devastated the building along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle said on social media. Nearly a dozen fire departments from surrounding towns battled the blaze, he said. No injuries were reported. Before the fire, it was a resort and event venue, and its website described it as 'the South's largest remaining antebellum mansion." Daigle called it 'a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance.' The 53,000-square-foot (4,924-square-meter) home on a former sugar plantation about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans included a three-story rotunda adorned with giant white columns and included hand-carved Italian marble fireplaces, according to a description on its website. The mansion's owner, Louisiana attorney Dan Dyess, said in a written statement that the fire had led to a 'total loss" after all the time and money he invested in the building. 'We are devastated and heartbroken for this loss,' he said. 'This was my dream that has now been dashed.' Photos from local news outlets showed a giant orange wall of fire consuming the upper portion of the rotunda and sending a plume of thick smoke into the sky. The fire has been contained, and no other properties were harmed, said Maj. Monty Migliacio of the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office. Authorities were investigating the cause of the fire, he added. In a statement on Facebook, Daigle touched on the structure's history of racial injustice during a time when enslaved Black people helped build the home and operate the sugar plantation that surrounded it. In 1860, 155 enslaved people were held at the property, according to National Park Service records. 'While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue,' Daigle said. 'Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era," he added. "It stood as both a cautionary monument and a testament to the importance of preserving history — even the painful parts — so that future generations can learn and grow from it.'
