Overnight Fires Claim At Least 3 Lives
Austin firefighters responded to two deadly fires early this morning. Crews removed two children from a structure at 6226 Wagon Bend Trail in Southeast Austin. The two young boys, ages five and seven, were later pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the fire started in a car and spread to the home. But AFD Spokesperson Lt. Jim Baker says the scene is still under investigation. Baker says investigators have not yet been able to enter the building.
One person was killed in a second overnight fire at 5311 Chico Street in East Austin. Fire crews were able to rescue four other people. Three of the fire victims were transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge for treatment. A firefighter also suffered minor burns.
Both fires were reported around 3 a.m.
Austin Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
The Department of Defense has released the name of an Austin soldier who was killed in Afghanistan. Corporal Juan Navarro was killed in an enemy attack on July 7 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was 23.
Cpl. Navarro enlisted in the Army in 2008. He was a decorated soldier who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to his facebook page, Juan was planning to leave the Army after his tour of duty was up and go to college to study nursing.
The Department of Defense confirms that, as of July 9, 6,493 U.S. service personnel have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Five hundred seventy-six were from Texas.
Judge Criticizes Armstrong Lawsuit in Dismissal
A federal judge in Austin dismissed Lance Armstrong’s request for an injunction Monday because he said the complaint seemed more intended to arouse public opinion for his case than focus on the legal argument.
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks criticized Armstrong's attorneys for filing an 80-page complaint that was needlessly long, “a bitter polemic” and “mostly unnecessary.” However, Sparks did not rule on the merits of the case, allowing Armstrong’s council 20 days to re-file a less objectionable brief.
Armstrong’s complaint sought to stop a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency hearing into accusations of doping. It alleged that the USADA and CEO Travis Tygart are outside of their jurisdiction in charging him with doping – and yet have done so anyway.
After charging Armstrong, USADA said he had 10 days to decide whether to fight the charges or accept guilt and be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.
Armstrong’s attorneys filed for the injunction in an attempt to put that deadline on hold while the court weighs the merits of his lawsuit.
