In 1834 a fire broke out at the grand LaLaurie Mansion on New Orlean's Royal Street. The fire was shocking but not for the most obvious reasons. The fire brought Madame LaLaurie's atrocities against her slaves into the light. The citizens of New Orleans were shocked by the extreme cruelty in which M Delphine LaLaurie treat these poor souls. The fire may have leveled the original LaLaurie Mansion, but the tortured souls still roam the property.
Sources: Ghostcitytours.com Wikipedia.org Frenchquarterphantoms.com