AUSTIN, Texas - Firefighters have confined a large fire near the Austin Country Flea Mart along East U.S. Highway 290 to the building where it started, Austin fire officials said Sunday night.
Fire confined at Austin Country Flea Mart
What we know:
The first call came in at approximately 6 p.m. Multiple Austin Fire Department units and surrounding agencies responded to the Austin Country Flea Mart.
Responding crews quickly saw black smoke and upgraded the call to a second alarm, requesting additional firefighters and water.
The fire was initially contained to a few buildings at the flea market. However, winds pushed embers downwind, sparking a brush fire that has since been contained. Six brush trucks were requested to help contain the flames.
Austin Fire Department said the brush fire involved a tire pile, which created the large black plume of smoke visible for miles from Interstate 35 and U.S. 290.
As of 8 p.m., the fire had been confined to its building of origin at the flea market. Structures at the flea mart have collapsed because of fire damage.
Austin-Travis County EMS treated two people for minor injuries. Neither person was a firefighter.
Investigators are now at the scene working to determine what caused the fire.
The blaze drew drivers to slow down and pull over along the roadway, causing heavy delays for eastbound traffic on U.S. 290.
What we don't know:
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
What you can do:
Drivers should avoid the area and expect significant delays as crews remain at the scene.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 7's Marco Bitonel.