Credit: Courtesy of J.Köster/Wikimedia Commons
Reports from Downtown are saying the Austin Fire Department is on the scene of a two-alarm fire at the Sheraton Hotel (701 E. 11th).

According to KXAN, the eighth through 10th floors have been evacuated after someone noticed smoke on the ninth floor. The alarm was pulled around 8pm.

Reportedly, crews have stated they believe an air conditioning malfunction may have led to the initial smoke, but an investigation is ongoing.

We’ll update this story if we hear more.

Update: The Austin Fire Department are reporting that no evidence of fire was found on site. While the cause of the smoke is still under investigation, fire fighters on the scene believe it was likely an electrical problem with the air conditioning system. As of 9:30, the AFD were allowing occupants back in the building.

This article appears in March 8 • 2013.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US