Dominic Fracassa, Jessica Flores
San Francisco Chronicle(TNS)
Aug. 1—A fast-moving fire that erupted Tuesday morning near the intersection of Octavia and Oak streets in San Francisco, displacing some nearby residents and causing a traffic jam, has been contained, the city's Fire Department said.
No injuries were reported but eight people in nearby buildings were displaced, fire officials said. Five residential buildings, including two on Hickory Street and two on Oak Street, were affected by the fire with some flames on the roof and major water damage, Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson said.
"The fire progressed really, really rapidly," Nicholson told reporters. "This could have taken out an entire block of San Francisco."
The Fire Department warned of delays in the area as fire crews will remain on the scene for "a few hours."
About130 firefighters were summoned to the fire around 6 a.m., the Fire Department said. Thirty minutes later, the blaze was upgraded to a four-alarm fire. The fire broke out in a building that appeared to be under construction, according to Nicholson.
Video posted online shows the fire sending plumes of black smoke into the air.
Public safety officials warned anyone traveling near the area to steer clear as firefighters battled the blaze. The fire caused significant traffic backup on northbound Highway 101 near San Francisco.
The American Red Cross was providing help to those displaced, fire officials said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Tuesday.
Reach Dominic Fracassa: [email protected]; Reach Jessica Flores: [email protected]; Twitter: @jesssmflores
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