Crews make progress on Cedar Park fire that destroyed apartment building: 85% contained

Cedar Park officials said Thursday that crews are making significant progress toward containing the fire that destroyed an apartment building on Tuesday and left dozens of tenants homeless.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the fire was 85% contained and had covered 37 acres, with no forward movement. Officials said firefighting efforts will continue over the next several days.

Residents of the Bexley at Silverado apartments, at 12820 W. Parmer Lane, can return to their homes, except for those who lived in building 10, which was destroyed. Residents of the nearby Whitestone Landing Townhomes, who also were evacuated, are also back at their units, officials said.

More: Dozens of residents left homeless after devastating Cedar Park apartment fire

They also announced that power has been restored to all the remaining buildings at the Bexley complex.

Because of the demand for water for fighting the fire, Cedar Park officials announced a ban on outdoor watering and irrigation through Friday.

Along with the total loss of building 10, officials said 12 units on the second floor of building 12 had fire damage, along with two units in building 11. They said some units in buildings 9, 11 and 12 also might have water damage from firefighting efforts.

More: Watch video of a Cedar Park apartment complex engulfed by wildfire

Officials said East Whitestone Boulevard and West Parmer Lane will be fully open by Thursday afternoon, but that drivers should avoid the immediate area and roads around the Bexley and Whitestone apartments as firefighting operations are ongoing.

The American Red Cross is to providing support to the affected residents. Those needing assistance can contact the agency's Austin office at 1-800-733-2767.

In addition, the city of Cedar Park is collaborating with the Central Texas Community Foundation to collect, manage and distribute financial donations for those affected by the fire through the Parmer Lane Fire Recovery Fund. To make a donation, visit the Central Texas Community Foundation - Parmer Lane Fire Recovery Fund at ctxcf.networkforgood.com/projects/200531-parmer-lane-fire-recovery-fund.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Cedar Park fire that destroyed Bexley apartment building 85% contained