San Francisco was up and running Sunday morning after a blaze at the historic Broadway Hotel in Russian Hill jolted residents awake and saw the SFFD fighting flames since the break of dawn. According to the San Francisco Fire Department, the fire at 2048 Polk St. prompted an evacuation and forced closures of Broadway and Polk Streets as firefighters toiled to get the situation under control.
SFFD has a 1st alarm fire at 2048 Polk St. at the Broadway Hotel. Many residents evacuated and crews are working to extinguish the fire. Broadway St. and Polk are closed. Please avoid the area. #SFFD #YOURSFFD pic.twitter.com/sRUGB455WQ
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) May 12, 2024
Swift action from San Francisco's Bravest meant flames were quickly contained, and according to the same source, Polk and Broadway streets reopened around 8 a.m., not long after the fire was reported just after 6 a.m. By finally extinguishing the fire in the streets, residents found solace in knowing their day could resume its usual rhythm.
It wasn't without casualty, though minimal. In reporting by CBS News, it was confirmed that one individual sustained minor injuries in the blaze. They had not been transported to the hospital as of the early morning hours on Sunday, a more fortunate outcome considering the potential risks involved.
CBS News reports that the SFFD spokesman Justin Schorr spoke about the challenges in ensuring older buildings like the Broadway Hotel were safe from hidden embers, stating, "A fire can double in size every 60 seconds." Firefighters had the crucial goal to "arrive quickly, knock down the fire and then do our investigation to determine if the fire has been completely extinguished."
The investigation into what sparked the early morning urgency is still underway. Fire crews are known for turning floors and ceilings over long after the main flames are gone to ensure the fire is snuffed out entirely. Schorr said, affirming the thoroughness of their methods in a statement obtained by CBS News, "Often, firefighters will extinguish the main fire and for a considerable time afterwards will be opening ceilings and floors to ensure the fire is completely extinguished."
