Century-old, three-story Garden District home burns on Philip Street

Firefighters prepare to enter a burning house at the corner of Philip and Chestnut streets in the Garden District on Tuesday afternoon as water cascades from the upper floors. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

The fire damaged the upper story of the house at Philip and Chestnut. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

A century-old, three-story Garden District home caught fire shortly after noon Tuesday on Philip Street, but the lone woman inside was able to escape unharmed and officials say much of the house can likely be rebuilt.

The resident, Ann Trufant, was home by herself taking a shower on the second floor when she smelled smoke, she said. Meanwhile, neighbor Hanna Jones was walking by outside and saw smoke coming from near the chimney, as if it was being cleaned, she said.

Jones and another woman rang the doorbell to check on Trufant, and when the 87-year-old resident appeared, they helped her get her things and get outside.

“I was putting her socks on, and she said, ‘At least I’m clean!’” said Jones, who only moved to the city a month ago from Connecticut to live with relatives nearby. “She was so calm.”

Jones said she called 911 at 12:03 p.m., and firefighters were there within two minutes, officials later confirmed. Jones said that while helping Trufant, she originally thought the smoke was from a minor issue that could be easily extinguished, but when she got Trufant back outside to safety was able to see how much it had spread.

“When we got her over here, I saw more smoke and realized it was on fire,” Jones said. “I expected to walk back by and have it be out.”

Large portions of the roof were destroyed in the blaze. New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell said that while the heaviest damage is to the attic area, but that the rest of the home can likely be rebuilt. Firefighters have not yet determined where the blaze began, but it appears to have started in a lower floor and traveled up into the attic before it was noticed, McConnell said.

Lynne Stern, who lives next door, said was home at noon and smelled smoke, then heard sirens immediately afterward. Firefighters used Stern’s house to help battle the blaze and keep it from spreading, which Stern said she found comforting.

“I don’t think it got wet,” Stern said. “It made me feel really good that the firemen are on my roof.”

Trufant spoke briefly to the media with her grandson, Will Trufant, by her side, expressing gratitude that no one was hurt, that the firefighters responded so quickly and that her neighbors were so supportive. They said the home was more than 130 years old and has been in the family for five generations.

Firefighters spray water from an adjacent yard. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

Flames can be seen through an upper-story window. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

Ann Trufant, center, speaks to firefighters while her grandson, Will, stands with her. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

Firefighters battle the blaze on Philip Street. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

Smoke billows from the burning house on Philip Street. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell speaks on the radio from the command post at Philip and Chestnut. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

Ladder trucks line Chestnut Street to fight the fire. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)

Missing portions of the roof can be seen against the sky after the fire. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)