Austin FD Puts Out 2 Fires Linked To People Trying To Stay Warm

Austin TX

19 November, 2021

11:43 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Austin firefighters responded to two structure fires in central and west Austin Thursday night related to people trying to stay warm as a cold front pushed through the area overnight. Westlake fire and Austin fire units responded to a home at 2704 Westlake Drive around 10:28 p.m. due to a chimney fire that had extended into the attic. The fire was extinguished by 11:03 p.m., according to a tweet by Austin fire. Fire officials determined the cause of the fire was accidental after a flue insert was "installed too close to combustible." The blaze was quickly detected by the homeowners and the quick response by the fire crews limited the damages to $80,000, officials said. Working fire 2704 Westlake Dr. Austin and Westlake units onscene of chimney fire with minor extension into the attic. Fire has now been extinguished. @WestlakeFirePIO pic.twitter.com/qOmxAyF2iw— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) November 19, 2021 Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. The fire also charred the electrical connection in the home forcing the two homeowners to now be displaced, officials said. Seven hours later, Austin firefighters were called to another fire around 5:21 a.m. at a large commercial strip center located at 5602 Clay Avenue, near the central part of the city. Clay Ave final, crews will continue to work on overhaul for several more hours. Cause accidental, space heater to close to combustibles. $400k structure $200k content. 1 occupant and 1 firefighter with minor injuries treated onscene. pic.twitter.com/Bc3ydgtylI— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) November 19, 2021 When fire crews arrived, they found a person inside who had been living there and took them to safety for evaluation, officials said in a tweet. Firefighters managed to confine the flames to one unit. Around 8:13 a.m., fire officials said crews would continue to work on overhaul for several more hours. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and was caused by a space heater that was too close to combustibles. The fire caused $400,000 in structure damages and about $200,000 in interior property damages. Officials said one firefighter received minor injuries, but is expected to be okay.