A smoking air conditioning unit caused a fire at the Presbytere this weekend, leading the museum to be evacuated. Because of the amount of smoke that got in the building, the museum is closed for the time being—probably through the week.
Two air conditioning chiller units caused the one-alarm fire on the first floor mechanical room.
It's a good thing that the Presbytere and its neighbor, the Cabildo (which had its own, much bigger, fire in 1988), are about to undergo big renovations.
• Museum officials: Presbytere closed due to smoking A/C unit [WWL-TV]
• The Cabildo and Presbytere Are Set to Undergo Repairs, Renovations [Curbed NOLA]