AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters are working to put out a fire at a warehouse, home to a 3D printing construction company, in south Austin early Friday morning.
Austin Fire Department said the Warehouse is located near Industrial Boulevard on St. Elmo Road. That’s by East Ben White Boulevard and I-35.
Austin Fire Division Chief Stephen Truesdell explained that paramedics were on their way to Austin Hospital when they saw the fire and alerted authorities. He said the fire was burning for “quite some time” before the crew spotted the fire.
Chief Truesdell indicated that when firefighters arrived at the scene, at most two buildings had been fully consumed. Due to its size, it took quite some time for the fire to be under control. The firefighters cannot enter because the majority of the building has been destroyed.
One of the affected businesses is ‘The Yard.’ Austin Fire said this is where the main fire was and appeared to be under construction. The business is “home to everything from alcohol production, design builders/3D printing, and creative studios,” according to the business website.
Chief Truesdell explained that the fire spread to ICON 3D printing construction firm. The Austin-based tech company partnered with the Texas Military Department to build the largest 3D-printed barracks in the country at Camp Swift near Bastrop. It also worked with NASA to design and construct a reusable landing pad that could be 3D printed from materials found on the moon and worked with an Austin nonprofit to build homes for people experiencing homelessness.
According to AFD, there have been no injuries. Around 66 firefighters responded to the call, as well as Austin-Travis County EMS medical personnel.
Crews will remain on the scene for several hours to address hot spots. Crews attempt to contain the fire while investigators investigate.