A devastating fire tore through the historic Nottoway mansion Thursday, destroying much of the landmark completed in 1859 and once used as a plantation residence.
The blaze engulfed the massive estate located along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Nearly a dozen fire departments from surrounding communities responded to battle the flames. No injuries were reported.
Prior to the fire, Nottoway operated as a resort and event venue. Its website described it as “the South’s largest remaining antebellum mansion.”
Spanning 53,000 square feet (4,924 square meters), the home sat on a former sugar plantation about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans. It featured a three-story rotunda, towering white columns, and intricately carved Italian marble fireplaces, according to its website.
The property owner called the blaze a “total loss,” noting the extensive time and investment he had poured into preserving the site.
The fire has been contained and no neighboring properties were damaged. Other buildings on the grounds were spared. Investigators are in the early stages of determining the cause of the fire.
