Advertisement

San Francisco firefighters mop up after massive blaze

Share

San Francisco firefighters continued mop-up operations Wednesday after a massive fire tore through a $227-million apartment complex under construction in the Mission Bay area.

Gusty winds in the area kept firefighters busy as they try to prevent hot spots from breaking out, according to KGO-AM (810) radio.

About a dozen people evacuated from nearby homes were unable to return, the station said, and the Red Cross was assisting them.

Advertisement

PHOTOS: San Francisco high rise fire

The blaze broke out shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday at 4th Street between China Basin and Mission Rock near AT&T Park. It spread through the partially built apartment complex. At one point, the top floor collapsed as crowds gathered at a distance to watch.

Several people were evacuated from their homes as hot embers floated over the neighborhood. The heat from the fire broke windows of nearby homes and the fire could be seen blocks away.

San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White told The Times that the nearly 140 firefighters on scene were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other structures.

The chief said sprinklers had not yet been installed in the building, which was to contain hundreds of condos that were to be put up for sale later this year. Firefighters were able to save a section of the building.

At least one firefighter was taken to a hospital after suffering minor burns and is expected to make a full recovery, officials said.

Advertisement

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

Twitter: @latvives

Advertisement