TX Medics, Firefighters Keep Pace with Call Spike amid Freeze
By Kelsey Bradshaw
Source Austin American-Statesman
First responders are continuing to attend to a spike in calls as freezing weather drags on in Central Texas.
Austin firefighters responded to an apartment complex in the 2000 block of East Seventh Street in East Austin for a fire that began in an oven, officials said on Thursday.
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The oven was left on when power went out, officials said. Once power was restored to the home, a fire broke out. No injuries were reported from the scene.
"Please make sure your cooking and heating appliances are turned off when electricity is out," fire officials said.
Meanwhile, Austin-Travis County EMS medics continue to receive record numbers of calls for service. On Wednesday, medics received 1,124 calls, which included 21 calls about exposure to the extreme cold, 129 calls involving ice-related falls and 24 reports of possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Austin, we know you're tired (and) cold, but we're almost out of the woods! Please help us help you, by staying home (and) staying safe," medics said.
Temperatures in the Austin area are expected to be at or below freezing on Thursday before the area begins to thaw out. Officials have warned residents to stay off the roads in the meantime.
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