Dozens of Burn Victims, Family Members Pack South City Kaiser Emergency Room

About 15 burn victims from the San Bruno fire were treated in the emergency department at Kaiser in South City Thursday night while those with more serious injuries were transferred to a burn center in San Francisco.

Nora Tobar said her husband called from their 115 Fairmont Drive home and told her she shouldn't come home, there had been a fire.

"He saw an explosion happen and everything turned red," Tobar said, as she waited for her husband in the busy emergency room.

As she drove toward their neighborhood to pick him up, she saw him running down the hill.

Her husband, who was burned on his arms, ears, neck and face, was not seriously injured.

Her brother, sister and sister's husband, who also lived there, weren't home at the time.

Tobar said she thinks their home was destroyed.

"Material things — you can buy them again," she said. "We were so crowded anyway."

The E.R. fell silent as an elderly woman came in, crying so hysterically she was doubled over.

Her son, Minor Locum, 27, said his aunt suffered a broken arm and a cousin was burned as the family fled their home at 2791 Concord Way. Their two dogs were killed, he said, and the house burned down.

His brother's girlfriend, Leana Mendoza, arrived at the hospital and ran up to him, asking if the fire claimed everything.

"Everything," Locum flatly replied as she burst into tears.

Diana Mendoza, 37, Leana's mother, said that while she normally doesn't see her daughter during the week, "something told me to call and invite her over for dinner."

"Otherwise she would have been there," she said.

She said friends and family will take in anyone needing a place to live, adding that she was glad to see a priest in the emergency room offering support.

The American Red Cross is setting up a shelter in San Bruno for displaced residents. People can go to the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center, 251 City Park Way at Crystal Springs Road, part of San Bruno City Park for assistance.

According to news reports, an evacuation center run by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department was set up at Bayhill Shopping Center. Residents can sign in there and leave their contact information in case someone is looking for them and a bus is available to help people who need assistance.

Also, the Bloods Center of the Pacific  is concerned about a blood shortage and is asking anyone in the Bay Area to donate blood on Friday.