ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) —
Emergency crews responded to a second alarm fire at the St. Louis Admiral Riverfront shortly after 11:00 a.m. Friday. Thick black smoke was coming from the top of the boat for a time. The Admiral is the former home of the President Casino. At this point, there are no injuries. The fire has been brought under control and contained.
Fire officials stated the fire was started by a welder that was cutting through stainless steel in the former kitchen area. Sparks caught some old grease on fire and shot up the exhaust.
The century-old riverboat had been a fixture along St. Louis' Mississippi River banks couldn't survive as an aging casino in the region's fast-growing gambling market. The Admiral closed last summer .
