Blaze breaks out at Meadowbrook apt

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Fire Department responded to a blaze that broke out at Meadowbrook Apartments at near 2300 Wirtz Ave.

AFD said the apartment where the fire started is heavily damaged and there is also damage on the apartments on each side of it. The woman who rents the apartment where the fire originated said the fire started after her 16-year-old son was smoking in bed.

"I told him not to smoke in the house so many times," said Vera Montecillo. "But, you know how kids are."

AFD has not confirmed the cause of the fire.

Though no person was injured in the blaze, a neighbor's chihuahua died of smoke inhalation. The dog's owner, Olivia Ortiz, watched with tears rolling down her cheeks as fire officials carried away her chihuahua after they tried to save him.

"He was like a family member," she said, speaking in Spanish. "It's very painful."