Bay Area/ San Francisco/ Crime & Emergencies
Published on October 12, 2016
1-Alarm Fire Extinguished Behind Castro's RC Gas; Neighbor Blames Homeless Encampment [Video]Firefighters work to put out the blaze. (Photo: James O.)

This afternoon, a one-alarm fire broke out in the area between the apartment building at 37 States St. and the RC gas station at the intersection of Castro, Market and 17th streets.

SFFD spokesperson Jonathan Baxter told Hoodline that the call came in at approximately 12:13pm, and by 1pm, the fire was under control. "The fire was outside the location, under a porch," he said. "There was no displacement or injury."

Tipster James O., who lives in a nearby building, first alerted Hoodline to the fire, which he believes was caused by people living in a homeless encampment behind the gas station.

For the last two months, he's witnessed "several people living under the corner of the building behind the gas station ... there are lots of clothes and other items hanging up inside the area."

He told us he's seen a young woman with medium-length brown hair walking in and out of the location on a few different occasions, and believes that she is the same person who climbed the pole at Jane Warner Plaza last month and had to be talked down by police. 

A video of firefighters combating the blaze. | Video: James O.

James O. praised the SFFD for their quick action in combating the blaze. "Luckily, we have a fast fire department." He's reported the issue to his landlord, and says the building manager is installing a fence today.

Hoodline inquired with Baxter about the cause of the blaze and any potential suspects, but he declined to comment, saying the fire is still under investigation.