Major Fire Breaks Out at Abandoned Austin Motel

Austin, October 6, 2025

News Summary

A significant fire erupted at the abandoned Rodeway Inn motel in Austin on Sunday evening, drawing over 60 firefighters to the scene. The blaze, which began just after 6 p.m., engulfed the motel and extended to a nearby Ethiopian restaurant. The fire was brought under control after approximately 45 minutes, with one firefighter sustaining heat-related injuries. The fire also caused temporary power outages for more than 4,300 customers. Local authorities closed the I-35 service road to facilitate emergency response efforts. Investigations into the fire’s cause are ongoing.

Austin experienced a major fire at an abandoned motel and restaurant off Interstate 35 on Sunday evening, prompting a large emergency response. The fire, which ignited at the Rodeway Inn motel, was reported just after 6 p.m. at the 2900 block of the North I-35 service road, near Dean Keeton Street. Firefighters arrived to find the motel fully engulfed in flames, with fire visible from every window and door, and the blaze soon affected an adjacent abandoned Ethiopian restaurant.

Over 60 firefighters responded to this incident, battling the flames for about 40 to 45 minutes before bringing the fire under control. Fortunately, no civilian injuries were reported; however, one firefighter suffered from heat-related injuries amidst the intense conditions of the blaze.

Due to the fire’s proximity and intensity, Austin Energy temporarily shut off electricity in the area, affecting approximately 4,324 customers. Power was restored to most residents by around 7:30 p.m., though 15 customers remained without power at that time.

The smoke from the fire was significant enough to be visible from as far away as the Austin City Limits Music Festival, located approximately 6 miles away in Zilker Park. Local residents reported feeling heat from the fire, and many acted quickly to ensure their safety.

To facilitate the emergency response, Austin police closed the southbound I-35 service road from 32nd Street to Dean Keeton Street for several hours. Authorities advised the public to avoid the area to allow emergency crews and investigators to work safely.

Investigations are currently ongoing at the scene to determine the cause of the fire, and there are no expectations to evacuate nearby residents. While some superficial damage was noted on nearby buildings due to the fire’s intensity, the overall impact on surrounding structures was limited.

Quick Facts

• Fire started at an abandoned motel and restaurant near I-35.
• Incident reported just after 6 p.m. on Sunday.
• Approximately 60 firefighters responded and battled flames for 40-45 minutes.
• No civilian injuries reported; one firefighter suffered heat-related injuries.
• Power outage affected 4,324 customers; restored to most by 7:30 p.m.
• Smoke visible from 6 miles away at Austin City Limits Music Festival.
• Authorities closed I-35 service road for several hours.

Background Context

The fire occurred at a location known for its previous business as the Rodeway Inn, a hotel that has been abandoned for some time. Abandoned structures can pose risks for fire incidents, especially when they are not maintained. The volatility and intensity of such fires often draw significant emergency response to ensure public safety and property protection in surrounding areas.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Tragic Incident at Utah Valley University: Political Violence Strikes
Shake-Up in Alaska Journalism as Journalists Resign
Austin Firefighters and EMS to Receive New Ballistic Vests
Three Charged in Fatal Auto-Pedestrian Crash in Austin
ACL Fest Features Sabrina Carpenter and Surprise Guest
Central Texas Welcomes New South Korean Partnerships
Austin Police Launch Initiative to Tackle Violent Crime
UT Austin Selected for Trump Administration’s Academic Compact
Trump Administration Requests UT Austin to Sign Funding Compact
TicketMaster Users Face Error 401 Not Allowed When Purchasing Tickets

Additional Resources

• KVUE News
• Wikipedia: Austin
• Austin American-Statesman
• Google Search: Austin Hotel Fire
• CBS Austin News
• Google Scholar: Austin Hotel Fire
• KVUE News Video
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Hotel Fire
• FOX 7 Austin
• Google News: Austin Hotel Fire

Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER

The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.