A two-alarm inferno ripped through a vacant San Francisco building early Friday morning, causing significant damage to the Presidio Heights structure as scores of firefighters battled the heavy smoke and flames.
The blaze broke out before dawn, around 4:30 a.m., tearing through the building at Lyon and Clay streets. Fire officials reported that the residential property, which housed six units, was undergoing a paint job. Despite the intensity of the fire, which spread through all four floors of the structure, there were no injuries since the building was unoccupied, according to NBC Bay Area.
Residents in the vicinity were initially warned to shelter in place due to the heavy smoke, but no evacuations were necessary. The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed via social media that the flames were extinguished in the void spaces of the building, indicating that no hidden fires remained.
Approximately 60 firefighters arrived on the scene, and by 6:00 a.m., they had the fire under control, as confirmed by the department. “Firefighters continue to extinguish fire in void spaces and confirm all fire is out," SFFDPIO posted while noting an improvement in smoke conditions. The officials faced additional challenges on arrival, including the adverse weather and poor visibility, Captain Justin Schorr told NBC Bay Area.
The 2nd alarm fire at Clay and Lyon has been knocked down as firefighters continue to extinguish fire in void spaces and confirm all fire is out.
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) April 26, 2024
Smoke conditions have improved considerably. https://t.co/xKcbH5B2QY pic.twitter.com/7cyX5knrVF
The cause of the fire remains a mystery, and is under investigation by local authorities to determine what sparked the blaze in the building situated in one of the city's affluent neighborhoods, as noted by CBS News. The incident left a prominent scar on the community, reminding residents of the unforeseen dangers that can lurk even within the seemingly serene streets of Presidio Heights.
