Five-Alarm Fire Displaces Dozens In Western Addition Neighborhood
More than a hundred firefighters were called to help fight a major blaze in San Francisco’s Western Addition neighborhood on Thursday.
The fire started shortly before noon in the back of a three-story Victorian condominium complex on Golden Gate Avenue. Strong wind gusts in the area aided in the fire quickly spreading to an adjacent apartment building on Pierce Street, tearing through both complexes in rapid fashion.
Two other buildings nearby, including the Creative Arts Charter School, suffered minor damage.
Firefighters were forced to try to attack the blaze from all sides, including the roofs of both the burning and nearby buildings. But they were quickly called of the roof for fear of the building collapsing. Quite amazingly, only two people suffered minor injuries in the fire, one a civilian and the other a firefighter. Both were treated at local hospitals.
The fire was contained a little more than three hours after it started. 41 residents were displaced and the Red Cross is working to find all those people temporary housing. They have set up an evacuation center at the Missionary Temple church at 1455 Golden Gate Avenue.
Those looking to donate to the fire victims can contact the Red Cross at (888) 4-HELP-BAY or visit www.redcrossbayarea.org.
Photo Credit: Cristiano Valli
