Austin, October 6, 2025
News Summary
A massive fire broke out at an abandoned hotel near the University of Texas in Austin, engulfing the Rodeway Inn in flames. Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately 40 minutes, deploying 62 firefighters to prevent its spread to nearby occupied buildings. Thick black smoke was visible from several miles away, impacting traffic on Interstate 35 and causing temporary power outages for over 4,300 residents. Fortunately, no civilian injuries were reported, though one firefighter sustained a heat-related injury. Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire.
Austin
A massive fire erupted at an abandoned hotel near the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday afternoon. The fire broke out in the 2900 block of the North I-35 service road, close to the Rodeway Inn hotel and St. David’s hospital. The Austin Fire Department confirmed the hotel was fully involved in the fire when firefighters arrived.
Thick black smoke could be seen emerging from the area, visible from major distances, including the ACL festival grounds at Zilker Park, approximately 6 miles away. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 6 p.m. following reports of the abandoned building on fire. Upon arrival, the fire chief reported flames were coming from “every doorway and every window” of the Rodeway Inn.
A second alarm was called due to the fire’s intensity, doubling the number of responding firefighters. A total of 62 firefighters worked to contain the blaze, which also affected an adjacent abandoned Ethiopian restaurant. There was a risk of the fire spreading to nearby occupied buildings, prompting crews to position themselves to protect those structures.
No civilian injuries were reported, but one firefighter sustained a heat-related injury. Local residents reported experiencing the heat and sounds of explosions from the fire. The fire produced significant smoke that affected traffic on Interstate 35.
Austin Energy temporarily shut off electricity in the surrounding area due to the height of the flames, affecting approximately 4,324 customers. Power was restored by 7:42 p.m., though 44 customers were still without power as of 7:53 p.m. Firefighters managed to get the fire under control within about 40 minutes.
Investigators remained on scene late into the night to determine the cause of the fire. Both the motel and the restaurant were confirmed to be vacant and abandoned at the time of the incident. Austin police announced the southbound I-35 service road would be closed from 32nd Street to Dean Keaton Street for approximately 1.5 hours. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area to ensure safety and allow emergency crews to continue their work.
Key Incident Features
| Incident Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 2900 block of North I-35 service road, Austin, TX |
| Involved Structures | Abandoned Rodeway Inn and Ethiopian restaurant |
| Firefighters Deployed | 62 |
| Injuries Reported | 1 firefighter (heat-related); No civilian injuries |
| Power Outage | Affected approximately 4,324 customers |
| Time to Control Fire | Approximately 40 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire at the abandoned hotel?
Investigators remained on scene late into the night to determine the cause of the fire.
Were there any injuries reported?
No civilian injuries were reported, but one firefighter sustained a heat-related injury.
How many firefighters were involved in battling the fire?
A total of 62 firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Was the hotel occupied at the time of the fire?
Both the motel and the restaurant were confirmed to be vacant and abandoned at the time of the incident.
How did the fire affect the surrounding area?
The fire produced significant smoke that affected traffic on Interstate 35, and Austin Energy temporarily shut off electricity in the surrounding area.
When did the power get restored?
Power was restored by 7:42 p.m., though 44 customers were still without power as of 7:53 p.m.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas Fire
- Statesman
- Google Search: Austin Texas Fire News
- Hindustan Times
- Google Scholar: Austin Texas Fire
- Times Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Texas Fire
- MSN
- Google News: Austin Texas Fire
