Early Morning North Austin Fire Displaces 13 Residents

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — A fire that broke out early Wednesday that left more than a dozen residents displaced is being blamed on a space heater, officials said.

The fire broke out in the 300 block of John Nance Garner Circle. One man in his 60s was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge for treatment of second-degree burns and smoke inhalation, while another eight adults and four children escaped the blaze unharmed, fire officials told the Austin American-Statesman.

Fire crews responded to the scene of the fire just after 3 a.m. on Wednesday. The cause of the conflagration at the triplex was blamed on the use of a space heater, and monetary damage to the structure was estimated at $75,000 and another $10,000 in damage to its contents.

The American Red Cross is now assisting the displaced residents with temporary lodging and related assistance.

This is the second fire in as many months that has been blamed on a space heater. A week before Christmas, a home along the 2600 block of Ware Road in South Austin caused heavy damage and displaced its three residents. Nationwide, improperly used space heaters are blamed for more than 65,000 home fires, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Image via Shutterstock