Austin, October 6, 2025

News Summary

A significant fire broke out at the abandoned Rodeway Inn motel and an adjacent Ethiopian restaurant in Austin on Sunday evening. The fire, reported around 6 P.M., involved 62 firefighters who worked for approximately 40 to 45 minutes to contain the flames. Thankfully, there were no civilian injuries, though one firefighter suffered heat-related injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation as nearby residents reported seeing smoke from miles away. Power outages affected around 3,742 customers during the incident.

Austin

A large blaze broke out at the abandoned Rodeway Inn motel and an adjacent Ethiopian restaurant in Austin on Sunday, causing significant damage but no civilian injuries. The fire erupted around 6 P.M. in the 2900 block of North I-35 service road, near St. David Medical Center. The Austin Fire Department was alerted shortly after 6 P.M. and dispatched a total of 62 firefighters to the scene.

Upon their arrival, firefighters encountered a developing emergency as the motel was fully engulfed in flames, with fire visible from every window and door. The inferno also affected the Ethiopian restaurant neighboring the motel. Firefighters worked tirelessly for about 40 to 45 minutes to bring the fire under control. Despite the threat posed by the flames to nearby apartments across the street, no evacuation orders were issued.

As part of the fire containment efforts, Austin Energy temporarily shut off electricity in the area due to the height of the flames. During the peak of the incident, approximately 3,742 customers experienced power outages. Most electricity was restored by 7:30 P.M., leaving 15 customers still without power afterward.

While no civilians were harmed, one firefighter did suffer from heat-related injuries. Fire crews remained on-site throughout the night to monitor the situation and ensure that the embers were completely extinguished. Nearby buildings incurred superficial damage due to the blaze, and residents reported seeing smoke from as far away as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and south Austin. One local even noted seeing the smoke while driving 15 miles back to Austin.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation by arson investigators. The I-35 frontage road heading southbound was closed for several hours as emergency vehicles and hoses occupied the area.

Summary of Incident

• Time of Fire: Around 6 P.M. on Sunday
• Location: 2900 block of North I-35 service road next to St. David Medical Center
• Fire Department Response: 62 firefighters deployed
• Duration to Control Fire: Approximately 40 to 45 minutes
• Injuries: One firefighter with heat-related injuries; no civilian injuries reported
• Power Impact: Outages affected around 3,742 customers, mostly restored by 7:30 P.M.
• Investigation: Cause of fire under investigation by arson investigators

Background Information

This incident took place against the backdrop of Austin’s ongoing issues with abandoned properties. The Rodeway Inn, which has been unoccupied for some time, and its adjoining restaurant had become targets of concern for community safety. Such structures are often susceptible to vandalism and pose fire hazards, particularly when not maintained. Over the years, local authorities have been working to address the challenges posed by abandoned buildings across the city.

FAQ

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Additional Resources

• Austin American-Statesman
• Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
• KVUE
• Google Search: Austin fire Rodeway Inn
• Hindustan Times
• Google Scholar: Austin fire Rodeway Inn
• FOX 7 Austin
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin fire
• KENS5
• Google News: Austin fire Rodeway Inn

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.