A blaze that caused damage to a mansion in New Orleans believed to be owned by Beyoncé and Jay-Z is being investigated as a possible arson attack.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for the New Orleans Police Department said they'd received a report of a suspicious person near the mansion at the time the fire broke out about 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday evening, NOLA.com reported.
A source told NOLA.com that the blaze appeared to have started in the kitchen, where firefighters found books inside an oven, and a gasoline can was also seen in the house.
UPDATE: NOPD confirms the fire at the home reportedly owned by Beyoncé and Jay-Z is being investigated as simple arson. PD received tip about suspicious person around the same time/ area as fire. @WGNOtv pic.twitter.com/3P4ThP4LeV
— Chris Welty (@Chris_R_Welty) July 22, 2021
UPDATE: NOPD confirms the fire at the home reportedly owned by Beyoncé and Jay-Z is being investigated as simple arson. PD received tip about suspicious person around the same time/ area as fire. @WGNOtv pic.twitter.com/3P4ThP4LeV
A source told NOLA.com that Wednesday night's blaze appeared to have started in the kitchen, where firefighters found books inside an oven, and a gasoline can was also seen in the mansion
According to the city's Fire Department, the historic building has been vacant for some time although it does have working utilities.
Firefighters were alerted to the incident when a smoke alarm at the three-story Spanish Baroque property was activated and 22 personnel responded. The fire was fully extinguished two hours later.
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for the 39-year-old star who have so far been unavailable for comment.
A fire department spokesperson told the New York Post: 'If they didn't get there when they did, it could have been much worse. It's a historic home.'
Owners: The power couple are said to have bought the home in 2015, after it was acquired by Sugarcane Park LLC, which is managed by the singer's mother Tina Knowles (Pictured 2019)
The power couple are said to have bought the home in 2015, after it was acquired by Sugarcane Park LLC, which is managed by the singer's mother Tina Knowles.
Built in 1927 as the Westminster Presbyterian church, the spacious property boasts six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms, covering 15,200 sq ft.
According to Realtor.com, before it was transitioned into a home in 2000 it was used by an eight-dancer ballet company.
The property also includes gorgeous hardwood floors from top to bottom, rich red detailing, elaborate chandeliers and an alluringly antique claw-foot tub.
First responders: A fire department spokesperson said if they 'didn't get there when they did, it could have been much worse. It's a historic home'
Another enticing feature is the rooftop garden - said to be the largest in all New Orleans - that helps to keep the rooms below cooler in summer while providing excellent city views.
The mansion also boasts 24-foot ceilings, and an open-concept staircase leads to the upper stories.
The master suite seems fit for a queen with romantic chandelier, deep red walls and tall windows.
And the master bath - besides the remarkable bathtub - has a floor laid out in gorgeously designed tile and a crescent-shaped window bathes the space in light.\
Historic: Built in 1927 as the Westminster Presbyterian church, the spacious property boasts six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms, covering 15,200 sq ft.
One of the guest bedrooms features deep blue-purple walls and white trim, while another features burnished golden walls and white wood trim.
The main kitchen features smooth cabinets, marble granite countertops and rustic tile flooring, while tall windows allow the light to shine through.
One of the other separate in-house residences includes a more quaint kitchen with white cabinetry and blue countertops.
It is not yet clear the full extent of the fire damage.