Fire Burns North Austin Shopping Center

AUSTIN, TX — An arson investigation has been launched after a fire burned a north Austin shopping center early Thursday morning, authorities said.

Austin Fire Department said in a tweet crews were called to a structure fire at the Payton Gin Center before 1 a.m. Thursday at 1000 Payton Gin Road.

The department said the fire started outside of the building; however, the blaze did reach the attic before crews were able to contain it.

Authorities said a witness said a person was on fire and ran away before fire crews arrived to the scene. That person has yet to be found.

The department's arson investigators are looking into what may have caused the fire.