Arson probe follows blaze under key I-10 artery
NEW ORLEANS — A man has been arrested after state fire investigators say he deliberately set a fire beneath the Interstate 10 eastbound overpass at Crowder Boulevard in New Orleans East, an action officials say could have disrupted a major transportation corridor.
The State Fire Marshal announced Monday that 42-year-old Isaac Lee Washington was arrested and booked on charges of simple arson and resisting a police officer with force or violence. Firefighters first responded to the scene on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:23 p.m. and requested the Fire Marshal’s assistance in the investigation.
According to the Fire Marshal’s office, investigators determined the fire was set intentionally beneath the I-10 eastbound overpass. Department of Public Safety officials emphasized the potential consequences of a fire under a major traffic artery.
“With more than 100,000 drivers traveling along I-10 in this area each day, it is critical that this vital corridor remains open and safe for both commerce and daily commuting,”
that statement, distributed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development, highlighted how a significant blaze could have forced lane closures or a full shutdown of the interstate, causing widespread delays and safety hazards.
Response and investigation
New Orleans Fire Department units arrived shortly after the call and secured the scene before requesting the State Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal’s office led the subsequent investigation and determined the fire to be intentional.
- Location: I-10 eastbound underpass at Crowder Boulevard, New Orleans East
- Initial response: New Orleans firefighters, call received at 7:23 p.m., Sept. 19
- Charges: simple arson; resisting a police officer with force or violence
Authorities did not release additional details on injuries, the extent of property damage or the specific motive in the public announcement. The booking of Washington followed the Fire Marshal’s investigative findings and coordination with local law enforcement.
Local impact and context
Interstate 10 is one of the metro area's primary east-west corridors, carrying large volumes of commuter and commercial traffic through New Orleans. Officials noted the potential ripple effects of an incident that forces an interstate closure, including:
- Major traffic congestion on parallel routes and surface streets
- Delays to commercial deliveries and regional freight movement
- Increased emergency response demands on local agencies
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident date | Sept. 19 |
| Time reported | 7:23 p.m. |
| Location | I-10 eastbound underpass at Crowder Boulevard |
| Arrested | Isaac Lee Washington, 42 |
| Charges | Simple arson; resisting a police officer with force or violence |
Officials from the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development and the Department of Public Safety underscored the importance of keeping major highways open and safe. The DOTD noted the corridor’s daily traffic counts to explain the public-safety implications of an intentional fire beneath the overpass.
The Fire Marshal’s announcement did not include a detailed timeline for prosecution or say whether prosecutors planned to seek additional charges. The public information release reiterated the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
Investigators have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the arrest or whether any surveillance, witness accounts or physical evidence tied Washington to the scene. Municipal and state agencies involved in the response have not indicated the presence of lasting structural damage to the overpass.
As the legal process moves forward, city and state officials continue to emphasize coordination among law enforcement, fire officials and transportation agencies in responding to incidents that threaten critical infrastructure and public safety.
WE NEWS will follow any court filings or additional public statements and provide updates as more information becomes available.
