Apartment fire leaves nine displaced

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Fire investigators said an electrical malfunction in a central heating unit started an apartment fire that forced nine people out of their homes at the Capitol Village Apartments on 290 East.

The fire started in a downstairs apartment. Three people lived in the apartment, but they were not home. Two dogs were found dead inside the apartment, however. Three other apartments are unliveable due to smoke and water damage.

"We were sitting in the living room eating and we saw black smoke in the air, so we came outside and that's when we [saw] the fire coming up outta the windows, the doors, the patio, everywhere," said Timeka Parks, a witness.

There were at least six firetrucks on the scene at one point, as well as Austin police and EMS officials. Neighbors gathered on the grass, watching the firefighters try and stop the flames. The fire department were gone by 5 p.m.

Two of the people displaced by the fire are children.

Damage estimates are $120,000 structural and $30,000 for the contents.