WEBVTT LOVE THIS PLACE TELL ME IT WILL NOT BE EASY TO BE REPLACED. >> HOLY COW. I DIDN’T THINK THIS COULD HAPPEN. JENNIFER: UNFORGIVING FLAMES CARVE OUT A CENTURY OF NEW ORLEANS HISTORY WEDNESDAY. >> WATCHING HISTORY YOU KNOW MELT AWAY, BASICALLY, BURN AWAY . IT’S HEART-WRENCHING. JENNIFER: THE UPTOWN VICTORIAN THAT STOOD FOR MORE THAN 130 YEARS BURNED BEYOND REPAIR IN A MATTER OF HOURS. >> THAT WAS A DEVASTATING IMAGE TO WATCH. IT’S SAD. IT’S DEVASTATING. AND I KEEP SAYING THAT WORD DEVASTATING BECAUSE IT IS. JENNIFER: THE MONTGOMERY GRACE MANSION, ON THE CORNER OF ST. CHARLES AND THIRD WAS A FAMILY HOME. THREE PEOPLE WERE INSIDE WHE THE FIRE STARTED ACCORDING TO THE FIRE CHIEF, INCLUDING A 92-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER WHO GREW UP AT 2520 FIVE STREET CHARLES. >> WE’RE BLESSED THAT MY MOTHER AND MY SISTER AND BROTHERINLAW WERE ABLE TO GET OUT ALONG WITH THE PETS. THAT’S A BLESSING. JENNIFER: THE HOME PLAYED HOST TO CHRISTMAS AND MARDI GRAS PARTIES FOR GENERATIONS. PEOPLE WHO CAME BACK TODAY TO SEE THE SMOKE AND FLAMES FOR THEMSELVES. >> I’M REALLY SAD. I GREW UP COMING TO THIS HOUSE FOR MARDI GRAS EVERY YEAR SINCE I WAS TINY. IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART. IT’S SUCH A HISTORIC HOUSE CRUMBLING BEFORE US TODA JENNIFER: NONE OF THE ANTIQUES OR REX MEMORBELIA INSIDE OF THE HOME HAS BEEN SAVED. >> THEY WALKED OUT WITH NOTHING. JUST THEIR CLOTHES. JENNIFER: FEARS OF COLLAPSE CONTINUE TO KEEP EVERYONE OUT . THE FAMILY SAYS THEY WILL REBUILD AND START NEW AT THE CORNERSTONE THAT SO MANY UPTOWN SAY THEY’LL NEVER FORGET. WITH SUCH STRONG TIES TO CARNIVAL, SPECIFICALLY THE CREW OF REX, THE FAMILY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL AT THIS HOME FOR MARDI GRAS THIS YEAR. WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, THEY DON’T KNOW EXACTLY W
New Orleans family vows to rebuild historic Uptown home destroyed by fire
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Updated: 10:13 AM CST Feb 21, 2019
A three-story Victorian home that stood as a cornerstone on St. Charles Avenue and Third Street for more than 130 years burned out of control for hours Wednesday.The roof and side of the home collapsed, as firefighters streamed hoses onto the flames. The historic home was known as the Montgomery Grace mansion and hosted Christmas and Carnival celebrations for generations. It housed memorabilia from the Krewe of Rex, which the family said could not be saved.“We’re blessed that my mother and my sister and brother-in-law were able to get out, along with the pets, so that’s the blessing," said Christopher Montgomery, whose family lives in the home. “But watching history, you know, melt away, basically, burn away, it’s heart-wrenching.”During the Rex Parade on Mardi Gras day, it was a tradition for the King of Mardi Gras to stop and make a toast at the house.Emilie Montgomery, whose grandmother, Anne Montgomery, lived in the house, said the family will rebuild and keep its Carnival tradition alive.“It’s sad that we are losing it, but we will rebuild,” Emilie said.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!
NEW ORLEANS — A three-story Victorian home that stood as a cornerstone on St. Charles Avenue and Third Street for more than 130 years burned out of control for hours Wednesday.
The roof and side of the home collapsed, as firefighters streamed hoses onto the flames. The historic home was known as the Montgomery Grace mansion and hosted Christmas and Carnival celebrations for generations. It housed memorabilia from the Krewe of Rex, which the family said could not be saved.
“We’re blessed that my mother and my sister and brother-in-law were able to get out, along with the pets, so that’s the blessing," said Christopher Montgomery, whose family lives in the home. “But watching history, you know, melt away, basically, burn away, it’s heart-wrenching.”
During the Rex Parade on Mardi Gras day, it was a tradition for the King of Mardi Gras to stop and make a toast at the house.
Emilie Montgomery, whose grandmother, Anne Montgomery, lived in the house, said the family will rebuild and keep its Carnival tradition alive.
“It’s sad that we are losing it, but we will rebuild,” Emilie said.
Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!
