3 Austin Residents Located After Massive 3-Alarm Fire

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire in South Austin — the site of a three-story condominium complex under construction — where three people initially unaccounted for were located early Thursday.

The wood frame apartment complex under construction at 4004 Banister Lane near U.S. 290 became engulfed in flames, according to the Austin Fire Department via Twitter. In the end, the skeletal complex — its bare wood frame likely exacerbating the flames — was completely destroyed, as were two occupied buildings abutting the construction site.

A resident at a nearby dwelling reportedly was injured after jumping out a window to escape the flames, and one firefighter was treated for dehydration while battling the fire. The big blaze — one of the fiercest fires in recent memory — prompted mass evacuations of nearby residents as a safety precaution. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced find alternative dwelling options in light of the destruction. While the fire resulted in no human casualties, several pets are believed to have died in the aftermath.

All told, two apartment buildings, nine vehicles, assorted construction equipment were destroyed in addition to the complex under development, firefighters said. The total monetary loss was left to be determined, but it will likely be in the tens of thousands if not more.

As a result of the conflagration, road crews closed the westbound Ben White Boulevard frontage road, and it remained closed through the morning as a precaution. The Banister overpass also was closed to traffic, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

"Westbound Ben White 290/71 frontage road down to one lane at Banister," transportation officials wrote. "The Banister overpass also closed today while the fire investigation continues.
Bus service also was affected in the aftermath of the fire, with Capital Metro's Route 105 northbound line forced to be diverted around the area near the fire.

The conflagration was so fierce, it damaged several nearby utility poles. Austin Energy officials reported that 1,000 customers remained without electricity as utility crews sought to isolate the circuit to restore power to customers. By late morning, all but about 64 residents remained without power as utility officials worked to restore their electricity by noon.

Initially, firefighters reported being unable to account for three of the occupants at the complex, only to later update the missing residents had been located. Other residents living adjacent to the fire reportedly were evacuated as a precaution.

According to reports, fire crews remained on scene as of 9:15 a.m. to ensure the fire was completely extinguished and residents were safe. The cause of the fire is unclear, but fire investigators were at the scene amid the embers checking for evidence gathering.

Ironically, the fire comes the day after Austin fire officials warned residents of the lingering threat of fires amid dry and very hot conditions after they extinguished a grass fire that also broke out in South Austin. Downpours that had been predicted in Central Texas coming in from weather activity spawned by Tropical Storm Imelda in the Gulf Coast failed to materialize, leaving tinderbox-like conditions across the regional landscape as temperatures continue reaching into the high 90s.

Related story: South Austin Blaze Points To Lingering Fire Dangers

Patch will update as the situation warrants.