Fire at North Austin Apartment Complex Injures 3 Firefighters

Crews battled a three-alarm blaze at an apartment complex in Northwest Austin Sunday morning that sent three firefighters to the hospital.

According to the Austin Fire Department, the fire broke out at an apartment complex on 3839 Dry Creek Drive at the Dry Creek West Condos around 7:30 a.m.. Units responding to the fire reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the complex.

Firefighters were out of the building by 8 a.m. and a third-alarm was called after which the fire was fought defensively.

The initial fire was in the back of the building. Units fighting the fire had been operating for about five minutes when the second floor gave away and three firefighters fell down, becoming briefly trapped by burning debris, fire officials said.

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Two of the firefighters were able to self-extricate and a third had to be assisted. The firefighters were identified as Lt. Jeremy Burke, Firefighter Willie Cook, both 16 year veterans of the department and Firefighter Jimmy Casares, a four-year veteran of the department.

All three were taken to Brack and treated for burn injuries. Casares had to be taken to the San Antonio Burn Center for follow on care. An Austin police officer was also transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

A total of 10 units suffered fire damage while four suffered smoke and water damage. Fire officials said upwards of 40 people have been displaced and are currently being assisted by the red cross. The fire is said to have caused an estimated $1.5 million of damage to the structure and $500,000 in damage to contents.

Approximately one-third of the fire department’s on-duty personnel or 90 firefighters battled the blaze. No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.