UT student housing catches fire

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday, the Austin Fire Department arrived at 2610 Rio Grande St., the House of Commons Co-op, in response to a large fire. The building caught fire when a resident left a hot glue gun on and next to combustible items, ruling the cause as accidental.

Dozens of UT students were scrambling for safety after the building caught fire. The residence houses 27 students. Many of the students who live there say they were doing house chores when they started to smell smoke. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, the fire had spread to the attic and two rooms on the Third floor.

The occupants responded quickly and went downstairs before calling for help. According to one resident, Ellen Kimble, a male opened a door and burnt himself on the flames that were very high. Kimble added that she was able to make a quick stop in her room for some expensive personal items.

All 27 residents made it out of the building safely. The damages have been estimated at $225,000 in structural, and $50,000 in contents.
 

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