The Herald-Zeitung

Crews were cleaning up the wreckage Wednesday after an early morning fire tore through the Linde Apartments off Interstate 35 and Walnut Avenue.

The blaze broke out just before 2 a.m. in the eight-unit apartment complex at 1045 Linde Ave, according to the New Braunfels Fire Department, eventually gutting two apartments and causing smoke and water damage throughout most of the building.

Eleven units were called to the scene to put out a fire believed to be caused by a late-night cooking accident, according to NBFD Fire Marshal Patrick O’Connnell.

“It appears someone came home and put food on the stove late last night and fell asleep,” he said. “When they woke up, the building was on fire.”

The building was severely damaged and residents in each of the eight units have been evacuated. The Red Cross will provide them with hotel rooms for three days, and will offer food, clothing and bedding to those in need, said branch manager Sharon McAllister.

“We’re helping out as much as we can,” she said.

A firefighter and an elderly woman were hospitalized with minor injuries.

The firefighter suffered burns to the left arm and shoulder; the woman experienced respiratory problems. The firefighter was treated at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital — New Braunfels and released. As of Wednesday, the woman was still being treated at Christus. Neither was identified.

The fire is estimated to have caused more than $100,000 in damages, according to the NBFD.