According to SFFD officials today, yesterday's five-alarm fire in the Western Addition started in a trash chute in the alley between Golden Gate Ave and Pierce Street. The fire was called in around noon by construction workers who were nearby, but the fire was "already well established" by the time the first fire crews arrived two and a half minutes later. Although the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, officials estimate it caused a total of $8 million in damages to three apartment buildings and the Creative Arts Charter School next door.
According to SFFD Deputy Chief of Operations Tom Siragusa, five-alarm fires are extremely unusual and a total of 169 firefighters were called out to help battle the blaze. Strong winds with 30 mph gusts, low humidity and the densely packed wooden structures all contributed to the size of the fire.
From Bay City News' damage report:
The building at 1502 Golden Gate Ave., a three-unit Victorian, was
largely gutted and sustained an estimated $2 million in property damage. The
building on Pierce, where the fire started, received an estimated $6 million
in damage. Two other buildings, the Creative Arts Charter School and a
building at 1409 Elm St., sustained an estimated $25,000 in damage each.
One family, who lived in the building on Golden Gate Avenue with their two and a half year old child, lost their Christmas presents in the fire. The SFFD's toy donation program delivered several toys to help ease their loss.
Again, if you're looking to help out you can give monetary funds to the Red Cross or the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association. Also, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are running a blanket/dollar/clothing donation center at The Edge Bar (4149 18th Street) in the Castro on Saturday from 3-7 p.m.
