Flames engulfed an abandoned building in downtown Austin Monday evening, prompting a robust response from local firefighters. As KXAN reports, the Austin Fire Department (AFD) arrived at the scene on 304 E. Second Street after receiving multiple calls about the blaze. Battling the fire and heavy smoke, the AFD crew, consisting of approximately 50 firefighters, swiftly worked to extinguish flames shooting from the roof and multiple openings of the structure.
AFD responding to a working structure fire in the 300 block of E 2nd Street. Fire crews on scene fighting heavy fire through the roof of the building. Avoid the area of E 2nd & San Jacinto.#ATXTraffic pic.twitter.com/8BI1cZHK0K
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) October 29, 2024
According to AFD Operations Public Information Officer Rachel Lewis, crews had the fire on the first floor knocked down by 8:10 p.m. As detailed by KXAN, the second floor's blaze was suppressed by 8:40 p.m., after which multiple thorough searches confirmed there were no individuals trapped within the building. AFD declared the fire "extinguished" after ensuring no life was endangered on any floor.
While the proximity of the fire station, located barely a block away, did not afford crews much time for preparation, their expert training was evident in the rapid containment of the fire. As per KVUE, the public was instructed to avoid the intersection of East Second Street and San Jacinto Boulevard to ensure the safety and efficiency of the emergency response operations.
The investigation into the cause of the fire and assessment of damages is already underway, as stated by Lewis in her briefing. "AFD investigators were on the scene 'actively working to determine the cause, as well as damages,'" Lewis told KXAN.
