Emergency Crews Fight 4-Alarm Blaze At South Austin Apartments

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Firefighters were fighting a four-alarm fire at a South Austin apartment complex on Tuesday.

The conflagration at the Mission James Place apartment complex at 4009 Victory Drive was raging on two floors of the complex located near South Lamar Boulevard and Machaca Road, fire officials said. Fire crews arrived at the scene around 2:30 p.m., fighting a fire that began as a three-alarm blaze soon turning into a four-alarm conflagration.

The fire reportedly was sparked from smoking materials that were disposed of improperly, officials said. As a result, fire officials said, 30 residents have been displaced. American Red Cross volunteers are currently in the midst of assisting displaced residents find temporary lodging.

All told, about 100 firefighters and support staff were at the scene of the big blaze. As firefighters arrived on the scene, the blaze spread to the attic of the building, prompting crews to exit the building for fear of a structure collapse, according to officials.

It's unclear if any injuries have resulted from this fire.

Nearby, the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, 2206 Prather Lane, reportedly implemented a "reverse evacuation," preventing people from exiting the building until the fire subsided. The school is located one-tenth of a mile to the north, just a minute away, to the northeast of the burning apartment complex.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area for the time being.

Patch will update with more details as they are made available.

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