July 04--Update 11:55 a.m.: Austin Fire Department officials said that the cause of an early morning apartment fire that displaced 50 people Thursday was improperly discarded smoking materials on a third floor balcony.
Damage from the fire, which occured in the 1000 block of Clayton Lane, is estimated to be $350,000.
Earlier: Austin firefighters responded to an early morning apartment fire in East Austin Thursday.
The Austin Fire Department responded to emergency calls shortly after 6 a.m. about a fire at the City Point Apartments near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Koenig Lane.
The fire was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm blaze, an AFD spokesman said. Eighteen units were damaged in the complex, which has approximately 36 units. About 50 people have been displaced, the spokesman said.
No injuries were reported. Twenty four fire trucks and other units responded to the blaze, which has been put out. No cause has been determined for the fire, but an investigation is ongoing.
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