AUSTIN, Texas — Firefighters are investigating what caused a fire at a vacant Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) thrift store in Central East Austin.
Just after 3 a.m. Tuesday, Austin Fire Department (AFD) said crews were working a fire at the building, located at 1122 E. 51st St., right off Interstate 35.
AFD said when firefighters arrived to the scene, they found a fire coming from the roof and people experiencing homelessness running from the building. One person was treated for smoke inhalation but refused to be taken to a hospital.
During their response, firefighters temporarily had to evacuate the building because the roof was sagging, but by 3:35 a.m., they were back inside extinguishing the fire. By 4:24 a.m., the bulk of the fire had been knocked down and crews were working to extinguish hot spots and begin the investigation into the cause.
The fire chief said the building has been vacant for years and had no power connected to it.