VIDEOS: Vacant hotel erupts into flames near Interstate 35, University of Texas at Austin campus

PHOTOS: A vacant hotel and restaurant caught fire near Interstate 35 and the University of Texas at Austin campus Sunday evening, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air that could be seen from miles away. The city of Austin’s public safety active incidents website showed firefighters responded to the 2700 block of Cole Street, a block away from the I-35 frontage road near a restaurant and the hotel.

A photo sent to KXAN shows flames coming out of several windows of the hotel. The Austin Fire Department said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but arson investigators are working the scene.

More than 60 firefighters responded to the blaze. Lisa Herrera saw “huge billows of black smoke” from the fire while driving on her way from south Austin and “had to see what happened.” “It was super, super black smoke,” she said.

“Occasionally, you could see a light puff of gray, but it was complete darkness that covered everything. It was crazy. Thank God for firefighters; they’re doing a great job.”

KXAN-TV NBC 36 Austin