Apartment fire leaves 16 without home

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Fire crews managed to get an attic blaze in Northeast Austin at a fourplex 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 and saw smoke.

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

Flames shot 7- to 8 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. 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.