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Two‑Alarm Blaze Damages Austin Country Flea Market, Two People Treated

The Travis County Fire Marshal is investigating a weekend fire as the property owner points to long‑standing landfill leachate problems and active lawsuits that could affect site safety.

Overview

  • The fire began on Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Austin Country Flea Market near Highway 290 and Decker and was upgraded to a two‑alarm incident by the Austin Fire Department.
  • Wind‑driven embers spread flames from market buildings into adjacent grass, producing a multi‑acre brush fire that firefighters contained by about 7:47 p.m.
  • Two people were evaluated for minor injuries by Austin Travis County EMS and at least one flea market structure suffered severe damage and collapsed.
  • The Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office has opened an active investigation and has not released an official cause.
  • The site sits on a former Travis County landfill and a March 2024 TCEQ inspection found ponding, erosion, and leachate leaks toward a nearby creek, facts the property owner cites in ongoing litigation and redevelopment disputes that could shape follow‑up cleanup and liability actions.