Traffic around Market Street and 13th Avenue in downtown San Diego was tied up today after a kitchen fire on the second floor of an apartment building drew a second-alarm response from San Diego, Chula Vista and Coronado fire crews. One person was transported from the scene, and firefighters said they expected to stay on site for about an hour to ventilate the building and check nearby units. Drivers in the area were warned to expect delays while crews worked.
Crews, mutual aid and an injured resident
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department boosted the call to a second alarm and reported that units from Chula Vista and Coronado were brought in to help after the blaze was traced to a kitchen on the building's second floor. According to the SDFD, one person was transported for evaluation, and crews were in the process of clearing smoke when the department posted its initial update. Firefighters were working their way through the property to secure the scene and confirm that no additional residents needed help.
2nd Alarm crews from @SDFD, @ChulaVistaFD & Coronado Fire are responding to kitchen fire on the 2nd floor of an apartment on Market St. and 13th Ave. One person has been transported. Crews will be on scene for another hour. Expect traffic delays in the downtown area. pic.twitter.com/16QYkQXAgQ
— SDFD (@SDFD) May 4, 2026
Why kitchen fires matter
Cooking is the leading cause of reported home-structure fires and home fire injuries in the United States, the National Fire Protection Association reports. The U.S. Fire Administration adds that unattended cooking and grease fires are common culprits and advises staying in the kitchen while frying or broiling and keeping a fire extinguisher within reach. Those precautions are especially important in tightly packed downtown buildings, where smoke can quickly move between units.
Advice for neighbors and residents
If you live near Market and 13th and spot smoke or fire activity, steer clear of the area and follow directions from emergency crews on scene. If you were displaced or need assistance after the incident, reach out to your property manager or the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's non-emergency line, and seek medical care if you experience coughing, dizziness or other symptoms after breathing in smoke. We'll update this story as SDFD or the city releases additional information.
