WHITE CASTLE — The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office continues investigating what started a devastating fire at the historic Nottoway Plantation in Iberville Parish in White Castle. It comes as firefighters returned to Nottoway Friday morning & evening to fight hot spots that are rekindling.
Rekindling is normal for a fire of this magnitude, officials say. Additional firefighters arrived back to the plantation around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, May 16 after a call for manpower to fight any rekindling. They’re currently cooling the hot spots with water, but limited water pressure and one fire hydrant are problems firefighters are up against. Officials are not reporting any flames.
The morning after a devastating fire burned beyond control for hours, all that’s left standing is parts of the once Nottoway Plantation.
The fire broke out around 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 on the south side of the home that faces White Castle. Around 3:30 p.m., it was reported that most of the fire was under control. However, it quickly intensified and was out of control with multiple firefighters no longer able to extinguish it.
Drone footage taken around 6 p.m. on May 15th showed much of the home covered in flames and black smoke.
There were no reported injuries.
Nottoway Plantation was built in 1859. The plantation is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle spoke about the historic Nottoway in his parish.
Today, Iberville Parish mourns the loss of one of its most iconic landmarks — the historic Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana — which was devastated by fire.
Built in 1859, Nottoway was not only the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the South but also a symbol of both the grandeur and the deep complexities of our region’s past. 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. Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era. 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.
We are deeply thankful that there were no injuries reported in the blaze. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the brave firefighters, emergency responders, parish personnel, and others who responded swiftly and did all they could to contain the fire to protect nearby structures. The cooperation and mutual aid provided by the fire departments of White Castle, Bayou Goula, Bayou Pigeon, Bayou Sorrel, West Baton Rouge, Plaquemine, Baton Rouge, St. George, Pierre Part, and Donaldsonville were instrumental, and we are immensely grateful for their efforts.
The loss of Nottoway is not just a loss for Iberville Parish, but for the entire state of Louisiana. It was a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance. Its absence will be felt deeply — by our community, our state, and by the many who found meaning in its preservation.
As we process this tragedy, let us recommit ourselves to protecting and honoring our shared history — not just in grand structures, but in the values we carry forward.
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