Three firefighters were injured this morning as they battled a fierce blaze in San Francisco's Marina District. The fire occurred at a pair of wood-frame structures, one under construction. According to The SF Standard, the emergency was first reported at around 4:16 AM at 2552 Chestnut St. Two of the firefighters sustained injuries resulting from falls of about 10 feet within the buildings, while the third firefighter suffered a minor injury.
Firefighters faced peril as two fell from the third floor to the second floor during their efforts to contain the flames. The San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen, in a statement obtained by the SF Chronicle, indicated that the two firefighters were hospitalized in stable condition for an evaluation of the injuries they sustained during the fall. The incident prompted a mayday call, which is declared as a fire department signal indicating an emergency requiring immediate assistance.
The response to the fire was sizable, with approximately 145 firefighters arriving at the scene, according to what Crispen told The SF Standard. Crews were aggressive in their firefighting efforts, Crispen noted, as they tackled the rapid spread of the fire between the adjoining structures by cutting holes in the roofs to vent out the hot gases and meticulously searching for hidden hot spots.
Construction activities appeared to play a significant role in the propagating the fire. Chief Crispen explained to the SF Chronicle that the building's state, with ongoing plumbing and electric work and uncovered walls, probably led to the rapid advancement of the fire. Officials evacuated neighboring buildings as a precautionary measure, resulting in the displacement of four residents.
While the cause of the Marina District fire has not been established, it remains under investigation. The fire was contained by 7 AM, as stated by the fire department. The buildings sustained notable damage, with homes on either side of the inferno also affected.
