Hundreds Flee, Building Destroyed as Grass Fire Spreads to Trees Near Texas Apartments

Fire crews and safety officials respond to a grass fire that forced evacuations in Cedar Park, Texas, on Aug. 8, 2023. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP

CEDAR PARK, Texas—A grass fire near Austin, Texas, spread into trees near an apartment complex and condominiums, destroying one of the buildings and forcing hundreds of residents from their homes.

Two people suffered minor injuries in the 50-acre fire that resulted in the evacuation of about 300 apartments, 95 townhomes and several businesses in Cedar Park, on the northern edge of Austin, Fire Chief James Mallinger said Wednesday.