AUSTIN — The troll sculpture Malin’s Fountain burned down early on May 21 in Austin’s Pease Park. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the Pease Park Conservancy and the Austin Fire Department are continuing to investigate the incident.

Internationally recognized artist Thomas Dambo created Malin’s Fountain in 2024 with the help of hundreds of volunteers using reclaimed materials. The sculpture was the only one of Dambo’s trolls located in Texas. In an Instagram statement, Dambo said the piece was meant to symbolize the community’s strength and unity.

“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,” Dambo said. “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.”

A memorial for Malin’s Fountain will be held on June 24 at Pease Park in the evening, though a specific time has not been announced. The Pease Park Conservancy had fully funded the creation of the sculpture in 2023. Anyone with information about what happened at the troll site is urged to share tips with the Austin Fire Department by calling 877-4FIRE45 or 877-434-7345.