3-alarm fire in North Austin: Multiple pets rescued, residents displaced

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Fire Department says a three-alarm fire in north Austin has displaced the residents of an entire apartment building.

A resident at Trails Of Walnut Creek took FOX 7 Austin through his now dark and empty apartment. He grabbed a few last things off his counter as water rushed out of his front door.

In Spanish, he told FOX 7 Austin that he feels very sad, but that’s how life is. He can’t do anything about it.

He's one of at least 24 people starting the new year without a home.

AFD initially reported the fire at 3:10 p.m. Jan. 5, with units reporting a fire in a second-floor apartment of a three-story building in the 11500 block of Metric Boulevard, off W. Braker Lane. The fire was upgraded at that time to a two-alarm fire.

"They had heavy smoke in the corner of the apartment and somebody [was] trying to put it out with water," said Eddie Martinez, division chief and shift commander overseeing the fire.

Just after 4 p.m., AFD reported the fire was through the roof and crews were working to find and contain a wind-driven attic fire. 

"There was a fire between the floors and normally it probably would have been pretty easy for us to get a handle on but because the wind was right at the beginning of the front pushing in, the wind was blowing hard and then it stopped blowing a little bit then it blowed hard and you could see the smoke going back and forth so it was a little difficult for us to get to it," said Martinez.

AFD said that conditions inside the building became increasingly smoke-filled and dangerous due to the wind.

In about an hour since the first call, Austin Fire had requested enough backup to more than double its original crew size.

"We tried to add additional people to it quicker because we know it could get bad a little faster," said Martinez. "We tried to get ahead of it by getting more personnel on the scene a little bit quicker."

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The fire was later upgraded to a three-alarm fire, but by 4:17 p.m., the fire was under control and multiple pets were rescued.

AFD says that 23 occupied units were affected by the fire and/or the fire suppression methods and the building will not reoccupy. No one was injured.

Six cats, three dogs and one snake were rescued by firefighters.

AFD says the cause of the fire has been ruled accidental electrical, and 75% of the structure was saved. Damages have been estimated at $1.2 million for the structure and $50,000 for the contents.

Residents who need a place to stay can find shelter at the local Church of Latter Day Saints at1000 Rutherford Lane, Austin, Tx, 78753.

As Austin’s cold front rolls in, fire officials want to remind residents to check smoke alarms, keep space heaters away from other objects, and check carbon monoxide detectors, especially if there’s a fireplace or gas stove in the home.