Pedicabs damaged in East Austin warehouse fire

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Officials say an electrical short is what sparked an East Austin warehouse fire in which 75-100 pedicabs were damaged.

The Austin Fire Department says it responded at around 3:15 a.m. to the fire at East 4th Street and Comal. 

The fire caused significant damage to a large sheet metal warehouse that stores two pedicab businesses, Metorcycle Pedicabs and Pedicab Adventures.

Officials say a woman was inside the warehouse when the fire started and thankfully she was able to make it out safely. No one else was hurt.

The cause has been ruled accidental and damages are estimated to be at around $400,000. $50,000 is to the structure and the rest is for the contents.

Pedi cab drive Juan Pablo Taboada says he did not house his pedi cabin the building that was burned, but he feels for the contractors who lost a piece of their livelihood. 

"The two big events we almost wait for all year are South by Southwest and ACL. We are literally at the eve of South by Southwest and this hits,” said Taboada.

However, he says the pedi cab community will ban together to help one another and help find alternatives in time for South by Southwest.

"When it's crunch time our ability to band together as a team of independence is wildly incredible,” said Taboada.

South by Southwest begins on Mar. 8.