i was 14 at the time and saw it on t.v. 3 years later i worked there and got to know some of the people there that day. it was a strange feeling to look out of that window that they jumped from.
I remember watching this. I was about 10 yrs old. My mom worked in the International trade mart building on the river. I remember I was upset for weeks and didn't want my mom going to work!
I have to be honest: I think it really says something about my generation that I can watch this without being very disturbed or bothered. For the first time in my life, I feel like I really have been way too desensitized.
finding information on this fire will be difficult, due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding it ( Kennedy assasination).If you notice NOFD NEVER solved the deliberately set fire.The bldg. owner Joseph Rault was funding Jim Garritsons investigation of NOLA connection ( David Ferrie,Clay Shaw..etc). Please read DR MARYS MONKEY by Edward Haslam. Also, 20/20 on ABC did a segment on this circa. 1982 surrounding the miracle of Natalie Smith's survival.
For a much clearer version of this You Tube video,Go to High Rise Fire- 6 Die November 29, 1972. Sharper Detail.
I know there is still another video out there
showing the early stages of the fire and the outside rescue attempts. The New Orleans firefighters concentratedefforts to make an interior attack on the fire with 2 handlines.They slugged it out with the fire as they made their way down the corridor to rescue the women.
The cameraman, Tom Davis, was a distant cousin of mine. He worked for CBS News and was in New Orleans to cover another story when the fire broke out. I remember seeing this air on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. I was 15 years old at the time and was horrified at the footage. I saw Tom Davis at a family reunion later and when he told me he shot this, I said I wish he hadn't - it was so upsetting to me at the time.
The trapped women were on the 15th floor, they fell to an adjoining roof 8 floors below them. Even though the fall was 8 floors, the camera man was at ground level looking up past the adjoining building, so by fault of perspective, the fall only looked like 4 floors. The women held thier positions for @ 30 minutes as New Orleans firefighters worked to reach them, using handlines from the building standpipe system, and a 50' extension ladder raised from the adjoining building.
I understand that there were sinister forces at work involving the Rault Center Fire..according to a book titled Dr Marys Monkey..by the way its a great book.
@ctfireapparatus My Mother's first cousin was Jeneva McBeth,the owner of the salon. She thought that Natalie had written a book about the experience and asked me to see if I could find out anything about the book. I am also interested in any other research and details about the fire.
The building remains a crumbling eye - sore in the New Orleans skyline. Natalie Smith, the only jumper to survive is on record that an angel told her it was okay to surrender and jump. The building's owner, John Rault disappeared into obsurity. The audio is more goulish and distubing than the video.
Natalie Smith, the only survivor is my Aunt. She is my grandmother's sister. she has been through so much. her husband just died and she is not doing so well. if there is any other clips of this fire. please post becasue im doing research on it. thanks.
sistaquig, I knew your aunt and uncle when we lived in Kenner back in the late 90's. We sang in church choir together. They were both such sweet people and had very strong faith in God. I seem to remember that Miss Nat's story was also featured on the 700 Club. But I haven't been able to find anything online about that interview. I have used her story many times as I have taught Bible Studies to youth and college students and her miracle story is still touching lives.
@sistaquig - I am trying to find a son of Natalie Smith. His name is Maurice, I believe, but was known as Ike. I met him in New Orleans in 1981 and he told me this incredible story about his mother. If you know how I could contact Ike, tell him Terry from Lafitte's is looking for him. Thanks
@sistaquig My Mother's first cousin was Jeneva McBeth,the owner of the salon. She thought that Natalie had written a book about the experience and asked me to see if I could find out anything about the book. I am also interested in any other research and details about the fire.
i was 14 at the time and saw it on t.v. 3 years later i worked there and got to know some of the people there that day. it was a strange feeling to look out of that window that they jumped from.
lconners1 3 months ago
I remember watching this. I was about 10 yrs old. My mom worked in the International trade mart building on the river. I remember I was upset for weeks and didn't want my mom going to work!
skid987 1 year ago
I have to be honest: I think it really says something about my generation that I can watch this without being very disturbed or bothered. For the first time in my life, I feel like I really have been way too desensitized.
NotIkeman 1 year ago
Comment removed
NotIkeman 1 year ago
finding information on this fire will be difficult, due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding it ( Kennedy assasination).If you notice NOFD NEVER solved the deliberately set fire.The bldg. owner Joseph Rault was funding Jim Garritsons investigation of NOLA connection ( David Ferrie,Clay Shaw..etc). Please read DR MARYS MONKEY by Edward Haslam. Also, 20/20 on ABC did a segment on this circa. 1982 surrounding the miracle of Natalie Smith's survival.
dgonzalee 1 year ago
I was ten years old when this footage aired on the network news. No disaster film ever horrified me as much as seeing this happen to real people.
jarwillnc 1 year ago
I was 10 and home alone and watched this live on TV. Horrific.
johnnybjohnny 1 year ago
For a much clearer version of this You Tube video,Go to High Rise Fire- 6 Die November 29, 1972. Sharper Detail.
I know there is still another video out there
showing the early stages of the fire and the outside rescue attempts. The New Orleans firefighters concentratedefforts to make an interior attack on the fire with 2 handlines.They slugged it out with the fire as they made their way down the corridor to rescue the women.
But time and the odds were against them.
They tried very hard.
ctfireapparatus 2 years ago
The cameraman, Tom Davis, was a distant cousin of mine. He worked for CBS News and was in New Orleans to cover another story when the fire broke out. I remember seeing this air on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. I was 15 years old at the time and was horrified at the footage. I saw Tom Davis at a family reunion later and when he told me he shot this, I said I wish he hadn't - it was so upsetting to me at the time.
rhsharp 3 years ago
Hello;
The trapped women were on the 15th floor, they fell to an adjoining roof 8 floors below them. Even though the fall was 8 floors, the camera man was at ground level looking up past the adjoining building, so by fault of perspective, the fall only looked like 4 floors. The women held thier positions for @ 30 minutes as New Orleans firefighters worked to reach them, using handlines from the building standpipe system, and a 50' extension ladder raised from the adjoining building.
ctfireapparatus 3 years ago
I understand that there were sinister forces at work involving the Rault Center Fire..according to a book titled Dr Marys Monkey..by the way its a great book.
slay63 3 years ago
To Natalie Smith's niece. I have done extensive research on this fire. You can email me via my website
w w w ctfireapparatus c o m
Please be assured that the New Orleans firefighters worked very hard and tried desperately to rescue your aunt against
limited time and terrible odds. Remember these firefighters in your prayers, as well as the victims.
ctfireapparatus 3 years ago
@ctfireapparatus My Mother's first cousin was Jeneva McBeth,the owner of the salon. She thought that Natalie had written a book about the experience and asked me to see if I could find out anything about the book. I am also interested in any other research and details about the fire.
tinarsmith1 1 year ago
The building remains a crumbling eye - sore in the New Orleans skyline. Natalie Smith, the only jumper to survive is on record that an angel told her it was okay to surrender and jump. The building's owner, John Rault disappeared into obsurity. The audio is more goulish and distubing than the video.
skuttytip 4 years ago
Natalie Smith, the only survivor is my Aunt. She is my grandmother's sister. she has been through so much. her husband just died and she is not doing so well. if there is any other clips of this fire. please post becasue im doing research on it. thanks.
sistaquig 3 years ago
sistaquig, I knew your aunt and uncle when we lived in Kenner back in the late 90's. We sang in church choir together. They were both such sweet people and had very strong faith in God. I seem to remember that Miss Nat's story was also featured on the 700 Club. But I haven't been able to find anything online about that interview. I have used her story many times as I have taught Bible Studies to youth and college students and her miracle story is still touching lives.
tarletonbsm 2 years ago
@sistaquig - I am trying to find a son of Natalie Smith. His name is Maurice, I believe, but was known as Ike. I met him in New Orleans in 1981 and he told me this incredible story about his mother. If you know how I could contact Ike, tell him Terry from Lafitte's is looking for him. Thanks
linaspa 1 year ago
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@sistaquig My Mother's first cousin was Jeneva McBeth,the owner of the salon. She thought that Natalie had written a book about the experience and asked me to see if I could find out anything about the book. I am also interested in any other research and details about the fire.
tinarsmith1 1 year ago
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headley62 4 years ago
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headley62 4 years ago
What is this? There is no audio...
peeklip 5 years ago