North Austin apartment fire leaves over 40 people displaced; cause ruled accidental

AFD responds to North Austin apartment fire

Over 40 people have been displaced after a large apartment fire in North Austin.

AUSTIN, Texas - Over 40 people have been displaced after a large apartment fire in North Austin. 

What we know:

According to the Austin Fire Department, around 1:01 p.m., a fire was reported at an apartment complex in the 400 block of W. Anderson Lane, across the road from T.A. Brown Elementary School and east of the Austin Humane Society.

When firefighters arrived, they saw fire coming from the roof and windows of a second floor apartment. 

Residents were shortly evacuated as fire crews worked to put out the fire.

FULL: AFD speaks on North Austin apartment fire

The Austin Fire Department responded to a large fire at an apartment complex in North Austin.

This was upgraded to a third-alarm fire. Over 80 firefighters were on scene. 

"You'll see there's a lot of personnel assigned to this. We did that because we needed more people to work on that," said Assistant Chief Andre De La Reza of the Austin Fire Department.

AFD said eight units were affected by the fire, and over 40 residents are now displaced. The apartment manager and Red Cross are helping those who were affected. 

VIDEO: North Austin apartment fire

Dozens of firefighters responded to a large apartment fire in North Austin on Thursday. Credit: Jim Canning

"Until we're finished with the investigation to find the cause, determination and total damage, we won't be allowing people of any apartment that was even minorly affected back in. We want to make sure that people who are allowed back into their apartments are able to do so safely," said De La Reza.

No injuries were reported. 

On Friday, AFD said investigators had ruled the cause of the fire as accidental. Damages have also been estimated at $4 million.

Local perspective:

"I work from home. I went outside to take a little break and then tried to go back in, and I was told I couldn't go back in. Came out to the front. The whole side was engulfed in flames," said Danyelle Minnefield, who lives in the complex.

Minnefield lives two doors down from where the fire broke out.

"It was a lot. I cried because I could feel for the people that're losing everything because the Red Cross is here to help us, but that doesn't help with losing memories and stuff," said Minnefield.

Minnifield says she’s grateful her unit was spared, but she’s still waiting to see if she can go home tonight.

"Yeah, I'm going to be okay though," said Minnefield.