Garage fire, multiple small explosions prompt Arlington student apartment evacuation

James Hartley
·1 min read

Residents were evacuated before sunrise Friday from an Arlington apartment marketed toward UT Arlington students after a vehicle fire started in the garage.

At least one person was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries and multiple vehicles appeared to be damaged or destroyed.

Alarms at the 848 W Mitchell St. apartments sounded around 4:15 a.m., followed by a loud explosion from the garage audible from apartment units on the other side of the building. Multiple other explosions, from little pops to loud bangs, sounded from the garage for the next 30 minutes as the fire appeared to spread across parking spaces on the fourth floor of the garage.

The property announced in text messages that residents, evacuated in the 27 degree weather, could return to their apartments at 5:25 a.m. Police and firefighters still had Benge Street, where the garage entrance is located, around 6:40 a.m.

An Arlington Fire Department spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for information.

A fire in the garage of 848 Mitchell, apartments marketed toward UT Arlington students, appeared to spread to multiple cars and caused multiple small explosions around 4 a.m. Friday.
A fire in the garage of 848 Mitchell, apartments marketed toward UT Arlington students, appeared to spread to multiple cars and caused multiple small explosions around 4 a.m. Friday.