Man, dog rescued from North Austin apartment fire

AUSTIN, Texas - A North Austin man and his dog were rescued after being trapped on the third floor during an apartment fire early Tuesday morning.

Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2 said when they arrived at the Wells Branch apartment complex, flames were showing on the third flood and through the roof of the building. 

Neighbors were woken up by the cries for help. 

"I heard a gentleman screaming very loudly so I peeked outside and I could see the blaze of flames so I ran outside," Jessica Deleon who lives nearby.

Deleon was able to capture the fire on video at the Church Hill Crossing apartments. While most were able to evacuate, one man and his dog were trapped inside on the third floor. 

"He had his head outside the window with smoke coming out and he was audibly screaming ‘help me,’" said Nick Perkins the Travis County ESD #2 fire chief.

Fire crews wasted no time to rescue the two. They were able to get a ladder up to his window and bring them down safely, both are OK. 

"It was a great relief, I knew someone was in trouble, I could hear the screams so that was terrifying, so I’m so glad that they rescued him," said Deleon.

The fire ultimately left 24 units damaged, 6 units with direct damage, and 12 without power. At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown.

"We are happy to report there were no casualties from the fire that took place at the Churchill Crossing Apartments last night," Nick Perkins, Fire Chief for ESD. No 2, said. "With the quick actions of firefighters, help from law enforcement, we successfully evacuated all tenants and their four-legged friends quickly from the building."

Chief Perkins tributes working smoke detectors for waking up the man who was able to get away from the spreading fire and signal for help out the window.

Perkins recommends people think about escape plans for their own homes. 

"Have a plan, have you ever thought about how would I get out of my apartment or house in the event it caught on fire. You really want two ways out and in this instance the way this gentleman would usually exit his apartment or bedroom was not an option." 

While making rescues like this is rare, Chief Perkins said it is something they continuously train for.

FOX 7 Austin was told the apartment complex was recently inspected by fire inspector. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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