Austin Fire Department crews were dispatched to a fire involving multiple abandoned buildings at South Congress and East Dittmar Road in south Austin on Monday. Firefighters were called to the scene just before 5 p.m. and began to quickly work to contain the blaze. According to a report by CBS Austin, the fire was successfully knocked down by 5:10 p.m., as crews continued to address remaining hot spots.
In a tweet from Austin Fire Info, the public was advised to avoid the area due to the ongoing firefighting operations. The fire crews were reported to make a defensive attack on the fires, indicating the precautions taken to ensure the blaze did not spread to adjacent areas. The fire reportedly consumed one large building and a small shed, both structures having been abandoned and posing no immediate risk to lives.
AFD onscene of multiple small abandoned structures burning at S Congress and E Dittmar Rd. Crews are making a defensive attack on the fires. Avoid the area #ATXtraffic pic.twitter.com/sHzwLgS9lr
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) September 9, 2024
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in the incident. Firefighters remained on the scene doing a major overhaul and ensuring that all potential hot spots were extinguished, to prevent any chance of re-ignition. The area was cordoned off to traffic while the operation was in progress, added the official communication from the fire department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with details yet to emerge regarding what may have initiated the blaze. Clean-up efforts and a thorough search for hotspots were underway, and the area was expected to be cleared once the fire department completed its diligent work to ensure the safety of the community.
