AUSTIN (TEXAS) – South Austin resident Jeff Miller recalled seeing a large plume of smoke from his home’s window Saturday evening, as the Austin Fire Department responded to a fire near the 7800 block of Peaceful Hill Lane.
“We didn’t know if it was a home or [the encampment] again. And of course, it was this empty lot that is an ongoing issue,” he said.
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Firefighters extinguished shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday.
An AFD spokesperson told KXAN that what started the fire is still under investigation, but confirmed it did occurred at a homeless encampment. Multiple man-made structures were found on the property, according to AFD.
Miller said he’s lived in the south Austin neighborhood since the early 2000s. One of the streets is adjacent to a large wooded area. Though neighbors say somebody owns the plot, it has sat vacant for years, except for some unhoused people using it as a temporary home…