A large fire broke out at an abandoned hotel near the University of Texas in Austin on Sunday afternoon, local authorities reported. The blaze prompted emergency response and caused widespread power outages in the surrounding area.
Fire Details and Location
According to the Austin Fire Department, the fire erupted at a vacant building on the 2900 block of North I-35 service road, near the Rodeway Inn hotel and St. David’s Medical Center.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the department said firefighters arrived to find the hotel “fully involved in the fire.”
Austin Fire responding to reported fire in the 2900blk of N I35 service road. On arrival, abandoned hotel was fully involved with fire. Please avoid the area.#atxtraffic pic.twitter.com/iepFFBySug
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) October 5, 2025
Smoke and Social Media Reports
Videos shared on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from the site, which is situated near the busy I-35 corridor. Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the blaze.
Impact on Residents and Safety Measures
Emergency crews are continuing to work at the scene as investigators determine the fire’s origin. No injuries have been reported so far.
For safety, power was turned off in the area, leaving over 3,000 residents without electricity.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the Austin Fire. Emergency crews remain on-site to contain the blaze and prevent further damage to nearby structures.
