Two separate houses caught fire near Stassney Lane in South Austin Tuesday evening. Crews were able to get both fires put out in a timely manner.

Both houses were vacant, so no one was hurt.

News 8 viewers reported a huge column of black smoke rising from the fire.

One structure, located on Pine Place, was a total loss. The fire caused $120,000 in damages. According to the Austin Fire Department, the cause was accidental.

About half an hour after responding to the first fire, firefighters responded to the other vacant house that caught fire.

This fire happened about one mile from the first, on St. Elmo Road. The fire caused $20,000 in damages.

Investigators are concerned about how the similarities of the two incidents and are looking into a possible connection.

In addition to these two fires, the fire department said there was a third fire at 2101g S. First Street Tuesday night. This fire caused $5,000 in damages and the cause remains under investigation.