Body of Third Victim Found at S.F. Fire Site

Investigators found remains of a third victim Monday as they continued searching the rubble of a sprawling industrial complex leveled by an explosion and fire.

Seven people are known missing and feared dead. Investigators said they didn’t know whether the three bodies found represented any of the people reported missing since the Bay View Industrial Park exploded and collapsed in a five-alarm blaze Friday.

Of the 22 people who were treated at hospitals, two remained in serious condition.

Heavy equipment will be used to remove beams and heavy pipes, but the rest of the searching will be done with “shovels, wheelbarrows and muscles, mostly,” said Walt Wysocki, an investigator with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which is assisting local fire officials.

Investigators believe the $10-million blaze may have begun when a high-pressure lacquer that was being sprayed in a carpentry shop was ignited by a spark, said fire Capt. Richard Crispen.

Fire Investigator Elmer Carr said the remains of the third victim were found Monday afternoon, but he had no other details. Battalion Chief Frank Drago said remains of a second body was found about three hours earlier.

In addition to the remains found Monday, part of a skeleton was pulled from a sub-basement tunnel at the site Sunday afternoon.