American Notes NEW ORLEANS

Workers were busy last week restoring the roof of the Cabildo, New Orleans' 1795 landmark, when a fire apparently ignited by their soldering irons did the opposite. The blaze destroyed the mansard roof and cupola of the Louisiana State Museum, as the building is officially known, and its third floor. Fire fighters went inside while the roof was still burning to rescue portraits and historical artifacts. But historical furniture and some works of art were ruined. The Cabildo, where the Louisiana Purchase was completed in 1803, is regarded as one of America's most treasured landmarks. Fortunately, thanks to the firemen's quick reflexes, many irreplaceable objects survived, including a bronze death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte.