Citizen Summary

Updates

A Tuesday morning blaze engulfed six buildings in the Mission District before firefighters were able to place it under control, officials say. 

Fire officials and Citizen users broadcast videos of massive flames and thick, black smoke coming from buildings on 14th St. near Van Ness Avenue. 

In an update broadcast from the scene, San Francisco Fire Department Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter reported that one firefighter suffered a “traumatic” injury while fighting the fire, which Baxter referred to as a “fast, rapidly moving and progressing fire.” 

The Lieutenant said that the fire rapidly rose from first alarm to fifth alarm within one hour. Three residents were displaced. According to officials, no civilians were injured by the fire. 

Two of the buildings were burned to the ground. Two of the other buildings were heavily damaged and may need to be demolished.

In a Wednesday morning update, Baxter reported that the fire is still not 100% contained, and that fire personnel are working on combating hot spots and smoke conditions in the area. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents. 

Officials are investigating a possible connection to a mattress fire that began Monday night in the rear of 140 14th Street.

Fire operations will continue in the area for several days. The 100 block of 14th Street remains closed to pedestrian and car traffic. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and remains under investigation. 

Two Buildings Destroyed, Four Damaged in 5-Alarm Inferno

A Citizen user shows video of a large fire on the side of the highway.

Firefighters are on scene and working to extinguish the fire.

A second alarm has been activated for the fire indicating that additional firefighters and engines will be needed.

Police are blocking off traffic to assist firefighters with street access.

A fourth alarm has been activated for the fire, indicating that additional fire engines have been called in for assistance.

A fifth alarm has been activated as the fire has spread to multiple buildings; additional assistance is being requested.

Highway patrol has been requested to check whether the fire has spread onto US-101.

The address reported for this incident has changed to 13th St & S Van Ness Ave.

Police are evacuating nearby homes on 14th Street.

Firefighters indicate three buildings have caught fire.

Media are being requested to gather at S Van Ness Avenue and 14th Street.

EMS is treating any fire victims at S Van Ness Avenue and Erie Street.

Power in the area was cut to assist with containing the fire and now there are several people trapped in elevators in nearby buildings.

PG&E has been requested to assist with the power shutdown.

Displaced individuals are being instructed to meet with police near Natoma Street and 14th Street for safe shelter.

Multiple residents have been displaced from various building snear the fire.

The total number of displaced residents is currently unknown.

Police are now shutting down traffic on Mission Street to allow firefighters hose access.

All nearby highway onramps have been shut down.

Red Cross is staging at 1745 Folsom to assist all displaced residents.