It's Hot Enough In Austin To Melt Boots — One In Particular

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — How hot is it in Texas? Enough to make the iconic Cavender's Boot City sign on South Lamar Boulevard catch on fire, as it did on Monday.

Ironically, store officials were poised to remove the old sign and replace it with a newer version when it caught fire just after 2 p.m., according to reports. As the temperature in Austin reached 109 degrees — shattering past daily records — fire shot up from the boot shape that comprised the top of the sign meant to alert to the quintessential Texas footwear offered by the store at 4435 S Lamar Blvd.

Fire officials have yet to comment to comment on the official cause of the fire as they do with conflagrations they extinguish. But, again: It's 110 degrees outside. We don't have a fire science degree, but it doesn't take an expert on fire dynamics to figure this one out.

CBS Austin captured the sad image of the neon boot's demise:

KXAN also had pictures from another angle that clearly show the ghastly outline of an oversize boot on fire. A horrible sight striking terror in the heart of every born, bred and buttered Texan:

Austin firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported. But the boot is gone. The heat-induced conflagration striking what is arguably the most recognizable symbol of Texas happened as if Mother Nature were either A) making a powerful point about her heating prowess, B) did it just out of spite or C) just being mean.

Related story: Monday's High Temp In Austin Reaches 109 Degrees

The incident comes at a time when Central Texas residents collectively long to boot out this oppressive — and one might now even say downright disrespectful — heat that has made life a tad uncomfortable in these here parts in the last few days. We reckon you win this round, Mother Nature.

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