Iconic Texas giant troll burns down in mysterious fire as heartbroken artist speaks out
An iconic giant troll sculpture in Texas was destroyed in a devastating fire last week, leaving the artist behind the towering wooden attraction heartbroken.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo shared an emotional message Wednesday following the loss of “Malin’s Fountain,” the 18-foot-tall wooden troll that stood in Austin’s Pease Park before it burned to the ground in an early-morning blaze on May 21.
“It took me a few days to process this,” Dambo wrote on Instagram. “I’ve received so many messages, photos, and videos since Thursday. Thank you so much for all the love for Malin.
A giant troll sculpture in Pease Park in Austin, Texas was destroyed in a devastating fire on May 21. Instagram/Pease Park Conservancy
Investigators are examining the blaze that burned the iconic installation to the ground. Instagram/Pease Park Conservancy
“Thank you for the memorials, the flowers, the drawings, and all the photos you’ve shared. It truly means a lot. It’s really heartbreaking.
“She was built with love alongside hundreds of people in Austin and became part of the community and the wonderful Pease Park she called home.”
Austin Fire Department crews responded just before 5:30 a.m. on May 21 after a caller reported seeing flames from Lamar Boulevard, located near the park.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the sculpture was destroyed.
The sculpture artist Thomas Dambo said he is devastated by the loss of “Malin’s Fountain” in Austin. AP Photo/James Brooks
The cause of the fire remains under investigation as arson investigators are also looking into the destruction, CBS Austin reported.
The sculpture, unveiled in March 2024, was the only Texas installation among more than 100 troll artworks Dambo has created around the world since 2014.
In July 2023, Dambo installed a 20-foot-tall sculpture called “Big Rusty” off Route 38 in Burlington County, New Jersey.
Arson investigators are yet to determine what caused the fire. Facebook/KUT Austin
Built with the help of about 150 Austin volunteers, “Malin’s Fountain” was made from reclaimed wood from a decommissioned water tower at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus and cedar roots donated by residents.
Dambo said one of his favorite things about the installation was watching visitors leave water for the troll so she could help feed animals during Austin’s hottest months.
“I was so proud to see the old water tower from the Pickle Research Campus, along with cedar roots donated by locals, recycled and given new life through her. It hurts deeply to know that it all went up in smoke,” he wrote.
“My heart is still heavy as I process everything and wait for more information. I truly hope this was just a tragic accident. For now, I’m sending my love to everyone in Austin.”
“Malin’s Fountain,” unveiled in March 2024, was made from reclaimed wood and cedar roots. Instagram/Pease Park Conservancy
Dambo said it is “still too early to say what comes next,” adding that Malin belonged both to the community that helped build her and to the park she called home, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The Pease Park Conservancy said it is working with city officials to determine next steps and plans to hold a memorial this summer, but said it is too early to know whether Malin will be rebuilt or replaced.
“The Conservancy and our City partners are devastated by the loss of Malin’s Fountain this morning,” Pease Park Conservancy CEO Nicole Netherton said.
“She was a beautiful reminder about the importance of generosity and joy, and we hope that park visitors who experienced her will continue to carry her message forward.”
