Massive Fire Burns Abandoned Motel Restaurant Near I-35 Austin One Firefighter Injured

A massive fire broke out Sunday evening in downtown Austin, involving an abandoned hotel and an adjacent closed Ethiopian restaurant near Interstate 35 and the University of Texas campus. The Austin Fire Department responded quickly, deploying 62 firefighters who brought the blaze under control within about 40 minutes. Due to the intensity of the fire, Austin Energy temporarily shut off power for over 4,300 customers in the area, though most power was restored within two hours. While no civilians were injured, one firefighter suffered a heat-related injury. The fire prompted significant smoke visible for miles and caused traffic disruptions on Interstate 35, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.