Fire Damages Two Apartment Buildings in Early Morning Blaze

SAN FRANCISCO, CA- San Francisco firefighters have put out a fire that seriously damaged two apartment buildings in the city's Mission Dolores neighborhood this morning, a fire spokesman said.

When firefighters arrived at about 8:30 a.m., they found heavy smoke and flames coming from all four stories of a 16-unit apartment building at 3525 17th St., near Guerrero Street, and two floors of a neighboring six-unit building at 3517 17th St., fire spokesman Jonathan Baxter said.

Firefighters searched both buildings and helped some people out but no one was injured. The fire was declared under control at 9:42 a.m., but firefighters will be working in the area for hours to put out any hot spots and have asked people to avoid the area.

Baxter didn't yet know how many people had been displaced or what caused the fire. Ken Turner, the owner of Clare's Deli next door, was stuck outside while the fire burned.

He said he was concerned for the buildings' residents, who come into his shop often. "It's such a close-knit neighborhood. You really get to know everybody," Turner said.

By Bay City News, Image via Shutterstock