AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin vacant building task force said it's making progress with demolishing and cleaning up vacant buildings, as more fires continue to pop up at abandoned structures.
The smell of smoke still lingers a day after the Austin Fire Department (AFD) said at least four structures went up in flames on South Congress Avenue and E Dittmar Road on Monday evening.
"There was evidence on the property that there were several small encampments there," said Austin Fire Assistant Chief Thayer Smith.
Smith said AFD constantly responds to fires caused by people who are unhoused and taking shelter in abandoned properties.
"Certainly concerning that, you know, these fires haven't slowed down," said Smith. "Usually, we see it ebb and flow with the weather but that's really not the case now."
Smith said more vacant buildings are popping up all over the city, possibly due to the economy. Because of this, in 2023 the city created a vacant structure task force to get these properties demolished.
"That process can take months and months," said Smith.
Smith said progress is being made. The Homeless Strategy Office said the demolition process at 900 Old Koenig Ln. started Thursday with lead and asbestos abatement. The office said 14 people were removed from the property, with nine accepting city resources and services. The Development Services Department said the demolition is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
That location has had multiple fires, including a two-alarm fire where multiple unhoused people had to be evacuated.
On 3511 E 7th St., Smith said three vacant buildings were recently demolished because of the task force's efforts. He said there were multiple fire and medical calls at the location.
"At the end of the day, our mission is to make sure all of our firefighters go home safe," said Smith. "These buildings really present a challenge for us and they're very, very dangerous. It's been proven a number of times across the country with firefighters getting killed in vacant structures."
Smith said there are 25 to 50 vacant structures on their problem list, and that their goal is to prioritize structures causing the most issues for residents.
In a statement, the Homeless Strategy Office wrote "The City of Austin is actively engaged in efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring."