Editor’s Note: The above video is from Malin’s unveiling ceremony in 2024.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Pease Park troll in central Austin has completely burned down.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown; however, Austin Fire’s arson unit responded to the scene.
Malin, a wooden troll in Austin’s Pease Park, burned down in May 2026. The artwork was created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) Malin, a wooden troll in Austin’s Pease Park, burned down in May 2026. The artwork was created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) Malin, a wooden troll in Austin’s Pease Park, burned down in May 2026. The artwork was created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) Malin, a wooden troll in Austin’s Pease Park, burned down in May 2026. The artwork was created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) Austin Fire’s Arson Unit responds to investigate (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) Austin Fire’s Arson Unit responds to investigate (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) FILE | Malin, the Pease Park Troll by Thomas Dambo, in October 2025. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)
The troll, named Malin, was an art installation created by Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo and unveiled in the park in March 2024. It was paid for by private donors with a contract stipulating the costs would not exceed $350,000.
Malin stood at about 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide and was made with recycled materials from a water tower at the J.J. Pickle research campus.
Dambo flew to Austin with his family and a team of seven others to begin the installation in February 2024. The troll took two weeks to complete, with help from roughly 70 volunteers who assisted with breaking apart pallets, collecting sticks and screwing boards together.
Over the years, Dambo has created hundreds of trolls that were installed around the world.
This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more.
