Limo business fire ruled an arson

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin fire officials ruled a morning fire at a limo company as arson.

Meanwhile, the Austin Fire Department has a person of interest.

"The person of interest was involved in an traffic stop, by the Travis County Sheriff's Office and that's the person taken to the hospital," said Cpt. Marc Saenz, with the Austin Fire Department.

The stretch limo Lincoln Navigator, that was the owner reported stolen from his business, was the same vehicle involved in the crash shortly after the Friday morning fire. Triple-A Limosine Services caught fire around 5:00 a.m. north of Braker Lane along the I-35 frontage road.

It caused extensive damage to the warehouse and blocked off access to the frontage road.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the morning blaze quickly, and no injuries were reported.

Investigator have not spoken to the person of interest, hospitalize at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

A second fire at 6:30 a.m. on Rundberg Lane was ruled accidental after an electrical short in a neon sign at a nail salon started the fire.

There has been heavy fire damage reported at Total Beauty Care at 825 E. Rundberg Lane and minor damage to three other businesses.

The damage was estimated at $250,000 to the contents of the building, and $100,000 to the structure.

Officials said when they arrived on scene, the front of the Total Beauty Care was on fire. 

The heat from the flames cracked the front door, allowing some of the fire to go inside the business. 

Firefighters said they believe the majority of damage will be smoke-related and that the business is not a total loss.

No injuries were reported in that blaze, either.