A three-alarm fire ripped through the upper floors of a six-story apartment building in San Francisco’s Tenderloin yesterday, driving dozens of residents into the street but resulting in no reported injuries. Firefighters pulled multiple people from the building, and paramedics treated at least one cat at the scene before handing it over to Animal Control. Part of Golden Gate Avenue shut down as crews battled the flames and city agencies scrambled to find shelter for those forced out.
How the fire grew and the department’s response
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, firefighters were dispatched shortly after 3 AM to the 100 block of Golden Gate Avenue, where flames were already visible on the sixth floor and pushing into the attic and roof. What began as a single-alarm call quickly jumped to a three-alarm response as more engines, trucks, and support units poured in. The Chronicle reports that more than 100 firefighters and over 50 pieces of apparatus ultimately responded, and crews contained the blaze by about 5:30 a.m. Officials described the operation as an "aggressive attack" that kept the flames from reaching the lower floors while investigators moved in to secure the scene.
Rescues, pets and displacement
Multiple tenants either escaped on their own or were helped out by firefighters in the initial rush to clear the building. A cat received on-site medical attention from paramedics before being turned over to animal control, as reported by ABC7. About 45 residents were displaced by the fire, and the American Red Cross was called in to assist those affected, according to NBC Bay Area.
Shelters, aid and public warnings
Evacuated residents were first directed to the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Taylor Street, then moved again to a temporary Muni bus shelter at Golden Gate and Jones Street while the city worked on longer-term housing and support, CBS San Francisco reported. Authorities urged the public to steer clear of the area as firefighters remained on scene and investigators began sorting out what happened.
Why older Tenderloin buildings are especially vulnerable
Officials said the building’s age and construction, including light wells and lath-and-plaster interiors, helped create heavy fire conditions on the top floors that made the blaze tougher to knock down, according to KQED. Golden Gate Avenue is no stranger to this kind of scare. An earlier Golden Gate fire this summer also triggered rescues and evacuations, underscoring the risks associated with older multi-unit housing stock in the neighborhood, according to Hoodline.
What happens next
Fire investigators say the cause of the blaze is still under review, and crews are expected to remain on site to finish their inspection and secure the structure, SFist reported. City agencies are coordinating with non-profits and the Red Cross to cover immediate needs like shelter and basic supplies for those displaced.
