AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Fire Department is trying to figure out what sparked a fire at a North Austin apartment complex early Thursday morning.
The fire happened at around 3 a.m. at a complex in the 8200 block of Sam Rayburn Drive, just north of where Interstate 35 and US 183 intersect. Firefighters say the fire started in one apartment on the top floor, then spread.
Lorenzo Caudillo and his friend live at the complex. They got up and started knocking on doors, telling people there was a fire.
"Everyone [has] to be aware the place is on fire. You all get out. I think we did good for all of us to get to look out for each other. We have been living here five, six , seven, I have been here over 10 years," Caudillo said.
Leydy Carreno was concerned about her 3-year-old daughter, who was staying with her dad at the complex. She said she rushed over after hearing about the fire.
"I came just running toward. They didn't let me pass, and I tried my hardest to [get] where she was. I didn't understand [what was] going on at the moment and remember crossing as see her. And I hugged," Carreno said.
Firefighters contained the flames to the initial three units but because of smoke and water damage, as well as power problems in the building, 60 adults and children in at least 16 units had to leave their homes.
No one was hurt as a result of the fire. The Austin Disaster Relief Network and American Red Cross were on the scene helping the people impacted.
Volunteers like Alice Smith from the Red Cross are helping out.
"To get them into a safe place as [soon as] possible. Heart-wrenching, and they are so thankful to the Red Cross. They will cry, they will hug us, the children will do the same thing. So that makes it so rewarding," Smith said.
The Red Cross said it has been busy this summer, responding to more than 50 fires in Central Texas in August alone and doing it all while being about 60 volunteers short.
The organization is encouraging people to volunteer.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.