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Northeast Austin Fire Leaves 27 Homeless


A fire at a Northeast Austin apartment complex Thursday night has left 27 people homeless.

A total of 24 apartments were destroyed by the fire, and surrounding apartments suffered at least some fire or water damage.

The cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental combustibles too close to a water heater.

According to Austin Fire Battalion Chief Palmer Buck, the apartment complex had fixed most of its code violations since 2002 and the most recent problems had to do with water leaks and mold.  Nothing suggested a fire danger.

The fire is still under investigation and most of the people who lost their homes have already been relocated into vacant apartments.

The cost of the damage is estimated at about $1.2 million for the structure and $400,000 for contents inside.

One cat was found alive in the rubble.

By Lydia Pantazes