Last Thursday night, the Austin Fire Department swiftly responded to a fire that engulfed a house in southeast Austin, as reported by CBS Austin. The blaze, emitting a large amount of fire, was battled by firefighters at a residence located at 2305 Riverside Farms Rd. The incident, which unfolded around 8:30 p.m., led to the displacement of four individuals after the flames were effectively subdued by 9 p.m. Fire crews continued their vigil, ensuring the extinguishing of any lurking threat that might rekindle the devastation.

Adding to the narrative, KVUE revealed that the property is not just any household, but the cherished abode of Samuel Grey Horse, a local figure widely recognized for bringing holiday cheer as Austin's horseback Santa. "To come back from riding around as Santa Claus all through Christmas, making smiles and then for this to happen, it's very hard," Grey Horse told KVUE in an interview after reportedly being not home at the time the fire started. Upon returning and being confronted with the fire-ravaged place, he expressed heartbreak over the significant losses sustained, including historical bonds to the residence that traces back to pre-Civil War times.

Initial findings by the Austin Fire Department suggest the possible onset of the fire in the home's fireplace, which had been in use for the three preceding days. Despite the severity of the fire, which spawned from all four corners of the house and triggered a partial roof collapse, there were no reported injuries. Grey Horse along with his animals, including several dogs and horses, are safe following the blaze.

As the Red Cross assists those displaced, Grey Horse grapples with the uncertainty of his home's recovery, having "lost everything" to the fire. The incident, while contained without human casualties, still poses a scar on the local community fabric, once woven with the joy that Grey Horse spread riding as Santa.