South Austin Fire Leads To Hospitalization, Dead Dog And Cats

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A South Austin fire early Sunday led to a person's hospitalization, the displacement of three people and the death of a dog and three cats, officials said.

The fire broke out in the rear of a home at 7200 Twisted Oaks Dr., according to fire officials. On Twitter, investigators said the cause of the fire was attributable to improperly discarded smoking materials. One of the home's three occupants was transported to South Austin Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

“Investigators determined the fire cause was accidental, improperly discarded smoking materials,” the administrator of the Austin Fire Department Twitter page wrote. “One person transported to hospital, 3 residents displaced. One dog and three cats perished. Damage est 200K structure (total loss) and 100K contents.”

The fire resulted in the total loss of the home, fire officials said, with structural damage placed at $200,000 and another $100,000 for the contents of the home. Photos accompanying fire officials' tweet dramatically illustrate the extensive damage the property sustained:

Central Texas Red Cross officials are assisting the displaced occupants in finding temporary lodging, according to fire officials.

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