Officer smells smoke, saves lives

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An Austin Police officer is being called a hero. That's after he spotted smoke and ran to wake up sleeping families inside of a burning apartment.

Fire crews managed to get an attic blaze in Northeast Austin at a four-unit complex under control early Wednesday morning.

• Photos: Crews respond to blaze

Austin fire crews said the fire started three minutes before the first call came in at 8:06 a.m. from 2902 Sweeney Lane off Manor Road. That's when Austin Police Officer Gary Griffin happened to be driving on Manor Road; saw smoke and sprang into action.  

"I started with the first door," said Griffin. "I got them up and worked my way around the back."

Griffin knocked on neighbors' doors, telling them to leave. Officials said many were startled but managed to get out.

"They were startled when I started knocking on the door," said Griffin. "They were in shock as to what was going on." 

Flames shot about eight feet into the air from the roof when fire crews arrived. It took 11 fire trucks to get the heavy fire in the attic under control.

Officials have ruled the blaze accidental, due to unattended cooking on the first floor of one apartment -- which then spread to the attic.

The complex has 10 apartments, and 16 people are without a home after the fire, but officials say the damage could've been worse. 

"Because of the notification from APD we were able to get the fire quickly knocked down," said Thayer Smith, with the Austin Fire Department. 

Red Cross is helping those families out.

Damage stands at an estimated $200,000 to the building and $50,000 in belongings.

Meanwhile, there were no injuries.