Chaos ensued in downtown San Francisco on Sunday when a steam pipe burst under the bustling streets, sending a plume of steam into the air and bringing traffic to a standstill. The spectacle unfolded at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Geary Street, where the underground rupture was reported to have occurred, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
At the intersection of Grant Ave and Geary St there is an underground steam pipe rupture causing visible steam. SFFD, SFPD, DPT, PG&E are on the scene. DPW/PUC are en route to the scene. Grant Ave between Geary and Post are closed. Please avoid the area #SFFD #SFFDPIO pic.twitter.com/OnDaA7NR2s
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) January 14, 2024
The San Francisco Fire Department, police, parking enforcement officers, and PG&E crews, were immediately dispatched to the scene after reports came flooding in just after 10:45 a.m. The vehicular and pedestrian traffic around the city’s Union Square became a logistical nightmare, exacerbated by the closure of Grant Avenue between Geary and Post streets.
A fire department spokesperson, Lt. Mariano Elias, explained that the incident began with the emission of steam through vents and manholes, which compromised visibility. In a statement obtained by The Standard, a spokesperson for Cordia later pointed to a water main break as the likely cause of the issues. Nevertheless, the exact cause of the rupture remains undetermined at this time.
While officials tackled the rupture, the disruption spilled into daily life, as authorities urged pedestrians and drivers to avoid the area – a critical part of the shopping district in the heart of San Francisco. Despite the dramatic images of steam rising from the city streets, there were no reports of injuries, according to officials. The SF Fire Department also reported public utility crews to be en route to assist with the situation.
The event is still developing, and updates are expected as crews work to repair the rupture, restore order, and investigate the underlying cause of the break.
