A fire erupted in downtown San Diego last night, caused extensive damage to a Brazilian steakhouse, and displaced dozens of residents, all amidst the bustle of Comic-Con weekend. According to CBS 8, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department received a call around 7:27 p.m. about a fire at 939 Fourth Avenue, which required the teamwork of 109 personnel and neighboring fire departments to combat what escalated to a three-alarm fire.
Parts of Broadway and Fourth Avenue were temporarily closed, causing significant traffic diversions in the downtown area. This incident unfolded as tens of thousands of Comic-Con attendees crowded into San Diego. The structure that caught fire housed both the restaurant and residential units, including Airbnb accommodations. As reported by NBC San Diego, Battalion Chief Chris Babler said, "The sprinklers went off on the fourth floor, and luckily that saved the fourth floor".
While no injuries were reported, approximately 50 individuals from the residential units are now displaced. The San Diego chapter of the Red Cross provides aid to those affected. A nearby building utilized for Comic-Con events had to be evacuated, although attendees were later allowed to return.
The Comic-Con experience was interrupted for many as an event hosted by Warner Bros. Discovery, dubbed "The Iceberg Lounge" Experience, was cleared out as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The SDFD managed to control and put out the fire in under an hour, preventing the further spread of the flames. In the aftermath, extensive damage to the building has rendered the restaurant out of service, with the cause of the fire still under investigation. Crews remained on the scene through the night to manage hot spots and ensure the fire was completely extinguished.
