Backdraft Narrowly Misses San Francisco Firefighters

Aug. 8, 2012
Around 10 firefighters were near the doorway of King's Coffee and Tea during a four-alarm blaze Tuesday morning when they were met by superheated gases that "sent a fireball across the street."

San Francisco firefighters escaped serious injury Tuesday morning when a backdraft sent a fireball out a door, narrowly missing them.

Around 10 firefighters were near the doorway of a business during a four-alarm commercial blaze in the city's Ingleside neighborhood at 1552 Ocean Avenue shortly before 6 a.m. when the incident, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

They were met by superheated gases that "sent a fireball across the street" upon opening the door to King's Coffee and Tea, Assistant Fire Chief Tom Siragusa told the newspaper.

He called the fact that no one was seriously injured "miraculous."

Two firefighters did sustain minor injuries. One suffered an irregular heartbeat while the other had a shoulder injury.

About 120 firefighters and 40 pieces of apparatus fought the flames, which were under control by 6:30 a.m.

The cause the fire is currently under investigation.

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