Search mission ends, some residents allowed back

Authorities announced the end of the search and recovery phase of their investigation into the fire that killed five people last week at the Iconic Village Apartments.

The fifth body was recovered on Monday and no additional remains were discovered on Tuesday, the city said in announcing the end of the search.

The remains were turned over to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and autopsy to confirm if they are the five people — James Miranda, Haley Frizzell, Belinda Moats, David Ortiz and Dru Estes — who were said to be unaccounted for hours after the fire early on July 20.

Though the search and recovery side of the investigation has now concluded, other elements of the probe continue, including where and how the fire started, city officials said.

The fire broke out aorund 4:30 a.m., when many residents were sleeping. Because of the building’s age, it was not required to have fire suppressing sprinklers, and many residents had to jump out of second-story windows to escape.

Six people were injured but only one critically. That person, who has not been identified, was transferred to the burn unit at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMCC) for treatment. 

All of the bodies were found in the Iconic Village, though the flames also spread to the Vintage Pads Apartments located next door.

In all, about 200 people were displaced by the fire but are now being allowed back into units that were not damaged. 

The investigation has included and will continue to include local, state and federal agencies, city officials have said.