The fire, which was reported at about 10:30 a.m., was contained by about noon, but flames were still visible well after that.
Parts of the roof collapsed and some neighboring buildings were affected by the flames, said South San Francisco Fire spokeswoman Susan Kennedy.
The main fire was at 1188 Montgomery Ave. in San Bruno, between Scott Street and Shaw Road.
Kennedy said there were no evacuations in the neighborhood, which is a mix of light industry, auto shops and some residences.
The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.