Crime & Safety
Investigators Pinpoint Building Where 5-Alarm Fire Started
The blaze was first reported in the Bernal Heights neighborhood around 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The fire ultimately displaced 57 people.
San Francisco, CA– A two-story building that contained a ground-level hardware store and residential units above it has been determined to be the source of a five-alarm fire that broke out Saturday and burned six buildings in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood.
Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, fire investigators concluded the fire started somewhere inside the building, located at 3312, 3314 and 3316 Mission St., according to San Francisco fire
spokesman Jonathan Baxter. The fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
The building housed a Cole Hardware store and four residential units above it, Baxter said.
As the fire began to spread to more buildings, firefighters ordered residents in the 3300 block of Mission Street to evacuate.
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Additionally, a shelter-in-place order was given to residents in surrounding blocks.
About four hours later, firefighters contained the fire and eventually declared it under control at 6:35 a.m. Sunday.
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The fire ultimately displaced 57 people. Of the displaced, at least half came from the Graywood Hotel, a building with mostly single-room occupancy units located at 3308 Mission St., according to Baxter.
Two people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A 1-year-old child was treated at the scene for breathing problems, but was not taken to the hospital, Baxter said.
Firefighters were also able to recover two dogs and two cats from inside the affected buildings and reunited them with their owners, according to Baxter.
After the fire, firefighters thoroughly searched the buildings and did not find any dead animals inside any of the buildings.
Fire investigators concluded that the sprinkler systems inside all the buildings worked. The displaced residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the city's Human Services Agency.
A shelter has been set up for people affected by the fire at The Salvation Army's Mission Corps Community Center at 1156 Valencia St., according to Red Cross spokeswoman Cynthia Shaw.
Additionally, Mayor Ed Lee paid a visit to the affected residents Saturday evening, just after the fire broke out. Lee has asked that people wishing to help the residents donate to the Red Cross.
By Bay City News
