#BREAKING: Fire burning in #Oakland on corner of Meade Ave and San Pablo Ave. Are you seeing this if you're in the East Bay? #abc7now pic.twitter.com/jMIul5LYd3

— Natasha Zouves ABC7 (@NatashaABC7) March 27, 2017

Firefighters fear that at least one person has died in a fire burning in Oakland this morning, but the dangerous blaze kept them from immediately retrieving the body.

KRON 4 reports that the fire at 2551 San Pablo Avenue was reported at around 6 a.m. Monday. Initially announced by officials as a three-alarm fire, the blaze at the three-floor structure was swiftly upgraded to four.

According to ABC 7, as many as 60 people live in the building. While most evacuated without incident, firefighters said that they had to rescue seven. The Chron reports that three people suffered injuries due to smoke inhalation, and are in critical condition.

Addressing the media Monday morning, Oakland Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Logan says that the fire caused the roof and floor to collapse, and firefighters were ordered out of the building, and had to "battle the flames from the ground and via extended ladders," NBC Bay Area reports.

But before they evacuated, they saw what they believed to be the body of a victim who had died in the fire.

“When firefighters first went in, they saw what might have looked like a body on the third floor, but the flames were so intense they had to retreat,” the Chron quotes Logan as saying. “We have to get more of this fire out to see.”

“They weren’t sure if they did see a body but as they were trying to make their way in, there was so much fire, that they weren’t able to make any more access,” KQED quotes Logan as saying.

CBS 5 reports that the building "housed people recovering from addiction." According to the Chron, "the first and second floors house a drug rehab center," but the third floor are apartments.

Resident Kirstin Evans tells NBC that "I just heard screaming and breaking glass, sounds of wood breaking and explosions...I looked at my window and it was all orange and yellow. I ran out of my apartment and it was all smoky and debris was all over the place."

Fantazhia LaTonda, who'd just moved into the building with her boyfriend, tells the Chron that the couple was trapped by the flames, and had to be pulled through the window by firefighters. I was scared. I thought I was going to die,” she said. “I was worried we weren't going to get out. Just burning. That's not the way I want to die. Burning,”

By 8 a.m., NBC reports that "crews appeared to be gain an upper hand in the fight" as "large clusters of flames were replaced by billowing plumes of white smoke."

Evans tells NBC that she believes the fire was "caused by a burning candle resting in a residence on the second floor of the building."

It's still unclear if the structure had sprinklers or smoke detectors. As quoted by KQED, OFD's Logan says that “The amount of smoke and fire that we had at the onset - a sprinkler system probably wouldn’t have been able to put out that amount of fire if they had a sprinkler system."

Related: Two-Year-Old Emails Prove That Ghost Ship Landlord Was Aware Of Electrical Issues

This month’s fire at 16th and Shotwell again revved up suspicions that the Mission District residential fires, now at least eight and counting so far this year, are suspicious malfeasance by profiteers in the stratospheric SF real estate market. A full 67 percent of the comments on SFist's breaking news article about that fire were devoted to debating the conspiracy theory that landlords might be burning their own buildings to vacate rent-controlled tenants or to try and sell the properties for, say, a cool $20 million.

“It’s a question that I get asked repeatedly,” Mission District supervisor David Campos (D-D9) told SFist. “Given what’s happening in the neighborhood, given the fact that there is a history of arson in the Mission going back to the 70's where there was actually evidence of arson, I think that we have to do a better job of providing information to the public because this question keeps coming up.”

So we decided the chart out the San Francisco fires of recent years to see if there are patterns in certain neighborhoods related to those neighborhoods’ real estate value. This article has no inside information or new evidence on any specific fire. Instead, we take a broader approach and analyze data on the frequency of San Francisco fires, their locations, and any possible correlations between property value increases and fire incidence.

Does The Mission Have More Fires Than Other SF Neighborhoods? No

Here we see SFFD call distribution by supervisor district from 2012-14. (Clarification added: This chart includes all SFFD calls, including those for fires, heart attacks, drug overdoses, kittens in a tree, etc. For 'fire only' data, see the chart below "Working Fires and Greater Alarm Fires".) That big spike in the middle is not the Mission District!

That big spike in the middle is District 6 — SoMa, the Tenderloin and Mission Bay. The Mission is District 9, third one from the right, with far fewer SFFD calls than District 3 (Financial District, North Beach, Chinatown) and District 5 (Hayes Valley and the Haight).

There is significant statistical noise in that chart, since as previously noted not all calls to SFPD are for fires. But the statistical noise would apply equally to all districts, so the overall trends appear valid.

And the Mission does have old buildings. “The Mission District is comprised in large part of older, wood-framed buildings,” Fire Department spokeswoman Lt. Mindy Talmadge told SFist. “Many have not had the electrical work updated, let alone any structural updating.”

Conspiracy theorists can still point out that SoMa and Mission Bay are also seeing a lot of luxury condo development, hence District 6’s frequency of fires, and that the fire locations do loosely correlate with the sub-areas seeing the steepest rent increases. They can also note correctly that a higher percentage of San Francisco’s fires are occurring in the Mission these days, as you’ll notice below.

Have Fires Become More Frequent in the Mission During This Boom? Yes

Since the start of this current tech and property-value boom, the Mission has seen a larger percentage of San Francisco’s fires than before the boom. Above we see fires by district by year, going back to 2004 (the data only goes up to March 2015). Notice how the uptick in the percentage fires in District 9 coincides with the beginning of the tech boom in 2011.

Sure, that percentage is a return to 2006-era levels. And maybe 3 or 4 percentage points is just standard deviation. But certainly SFFD trucks are leaving fire stations for Mission District fires at a higher rate than they were back in 2009 when unemployment was at 9%.

But Do Fires Increase When SF Property Values Rise? No

Again referencing the above Arson Task Force chart, notice how the grand total of all San Francisco fires has decreased most years since 2004. That period covers a crash (2008) and a boom (2011-2015). San Francisco fires have decreased consistently over the last ten-plus years, regardless of property values or economic conditions.

Arson is serious and scary business. What these charts do not show you is the 70 people who died in those fires between 2004 and 2014, plus however many we will end up losing this year.

These numbers could still either support or debunk the landlord arson conspiracy theory, depending on your perspective. Debunkers can note that fires have historically decreased and that Mission District fires are less common than SoMa/Mission Bay fires or Financial District/North Beach fires. Conspiracy theorists can point out that Mission District fires are indeed on the rise in the current real estate environment. So both sides have legitimate points to argue over our Thanksgiving get-togethers. But when having these arguments, please don’t leave stove burners unattended or allow grease to drip on open flames.

3rd floor #fire on 16th and Shotwell #sffd possible building collapse. #ladderpipes up @nbcbayarea @abc7newsBayArea pic.twitter.com/jDXfQKEvsj

— SF Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) November 8, 2015

Sunday's massive fire at 16th and Shotwell destroyed a longstanding neighborhood business and displaced over twenty nearby residents — and sending toxic smoke all over the city in the process. The three-alarm fire brought over 100 firefighters to the Mission District tire shop, smoke from which could be seen for miles. Smoke damage from the fire rendered a nearby apartment building unlivable, but fortunately no one was injured.

KQED News reports that the fire began shortly before 8:00 a.m., and Mission Local says that it took two and a half hours for SFFD to bring the blaze under control. They put the displaced figure at 23, while Bay City News still has it at 21.

“At about 7:40 a.m. we got a report of smoke in the building at 16th and Shotwell,” Assistant Chief Dave Franklin told Mission Local. “There was heavy fire and smoke and [firefighters] opened up the building and attacked the fire from the exterior and from above.”

Rolling Stock Tires was the business that went up in flames, and the company employed 20 people, according to ABC 7, all of whom are now currently out of a job.

Mission Local reached the building owner, Jim Albera, who yesterday had planned to celebrate his 60th birthday.

“At least nobody got hurt, but that’s a hell of a birthday present," said Albera. "Another historic building bites the dust in San Francisco."

While firefighters have not officially determined the fire's cause, Albera told ABC 7 that he believes he knows the cause: something flammable mixed in with garbage tossed on the building's roof.

"Yeah, garbage," explained Albera. "All kinds. We took off 5 or 6 sacks just last week to keep the drains clean, you know when it rains."

The Red Cross is assisting the twenty-five displaced residents, and has opened "an evacuation center" at 520 South Van Ness for those impacted by the fire.

John Laxson of the Red Cross told Mission Local that his focus is now on providing support for the displaced.

“We’re trying to make sure that they’re warm and comfortable and have good and a place to be together as a family,” said Laxson.

As to where the families would stay, Laxson was unclear.

“[The] city is getting more expensive by the week.”

Previously: [Update] Stinky, Smoky Three Alarm Fire In Mission District Displaces 21 Humans, 1 Pet

View from 4th and Long Bridge, SF of apartment building under construction where hot spots are still flaring up. pic.twitter.com/M7oIfdpQg2

— Jenna Lane (@jennalane) March 12, 2014

The morning after a five-alarm Mission Bay fire gutted a wood 360-unit apartment on Fourth Street, Mayor Ed Lee says "we're very lucky" that the fire didn't spread or that more people weren't injured (one firefighter had his face burned while battling the blaze.)

While what caused the fire remains under investigation, The Chronicle notes:

"It appears that the fire started above ground," Lee said. "They were doing some welding. We don't know what occurred there. I'll be very patient to wait until the investigation is concluded by our Fire Department and by the contractors themselves."

Most of the workers had left for the day before the blaze began, and investigators suspect that the fire could have smoldered for some time before erupting, said Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White.

Evacuated residents in nearby buildings are slowly being let back in today. As for the structure itself, it's still in a precarious place.

Above all else, the fire raises concerns over the quality of construction in Mission Bay. The burgeoning neighborhood has always been a bit of a question mark, both aesthetically and structurally, especially when compared to other San Francisco neighborhoods. John King has more:

The San Francisco-based developer purchased two blocks totaling 3.7 acres in 2011 for $41 million. When construction began last year on the 1.8-acre block that burned Tuesday, company officials put the estimated total development cost at $227 million. At least four other residential projects are at various stages of construction within a stone's throw of the BRE site, together containing nearly 900 units.

Beyond the damage to the project dubbed MB360, there's the damage to the retail district planned along Fourth Street.

The ground floor of every residential building there is reserved for retail space. The idea is that the strip will become the commercial heart of the neighborhood - the 21st century equivalent to Chestnut Street in the Marina.

Even though other residential buildings did not sustain damage in Tuesday's fire, the presence of a burned-out block is bound to slow Fourth Street's emergence as a destination.

The area Fourth Street/China Basin are remains closed off as of this morning.

Previously: Breaking: 5-Alarm Fire Burning In Mission Bay Construction Site [Updates]

A firefighter was injured in the Mission District last night after battling a two-alarm blaze. The fire occurred a little before 6 a.m. on the 1400 block of Stevenson. "The firefighter was injured when he fell about 6 to 10 feet at the scene of the blaze," reports ABC 7.

Fortunately, though, all of the building's residents mange to escape unharmed. According to the Chronicle, "The blaze displaced 20 adults and a baby, along with several of the residents' pets, including five dogs, two snakes and a bird."

As of 7:30, the SFFD had the fire under control. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Also of note, one unit in the damaged building hosts regular weekly AA meetings. No word on the extent of the room's damage, but members should call Central Office (415-674-1821) to find out more. For a list of other AA meetings in the area, go here.

Early Friday morning in the Sunset District neighborhood, a father and his 2-year-old daughter died during a two-alarm fire. The fire started in the garage of the house, located in the 1900 block of 18th Avenue near Pacheco Street, where it quickly spread throughout the three-story building.

According to the Chron the girl and her grandfather had been awakened by a smoke detector and had tried to escape. "The girl's father had been sleeping in the garage because he was sick and didn't want to get his daughter sick."

A metal security gate with two dead-bolts reportedly held up the firefighters. A metal gate with two deadbolts reportedly held up the firefighters' ability to attack the fire in a timely manner.

"Everyone's hurting a little this morning," San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White explained to NBC Bay Area. "We are usually in the business of saving lives."

[Chron]
[CBS SF]
[NBC Bay Area]

Around 6:30 AM this morning, a fire broke out in the Lower Haight. Dan Jackson snapped this shot of the smoky scene at 373 Haight, between Webster and Buchanan.

Haighteration notes that at least two people were injured, adding, "No word yet on how many people may have been displaced by the blaze, and still no word on a cause."

The fire seemed to have started in the garage.

Video below:

[Haighteration]
[Ted Goldberg]

A man and woman died early Friday morning, and their son was found badly burned in the city of Richmond. The blaze happened a little before 3:20 AM in a home near 20th and Roosevelt.

KTVU has more:

Manly said all three victims were members of the same family. A son was found outside the garage suffering from severe burns. He was transported to the burn unit at San Francisco’s St. Francis Medical Center in critical condition. Two other family members were found dead inside the converted garage. Manly said a family of eight lived in the home with three roomed in the garage.

The Chronicle has identified the father as Mearn Lee Pom, 56, and the mother, 50-year-old Bounkeo Viengvila. The son is of adult age.

Investigators believe fireworks might have played a part in the early morning fire fatalities.

[Chronicle]
[KTVU]

Chez Spencer, 11-year-old French restaurant in the Mission, suffered "heavy damage" after a two-alarm fire early this morning. Laurent Katgely, owner/chef of Chez Spencer, sent out the following tweet today:

"No one was inside the restaurant, but the fire did spread to the two buildings on either side, including an apartment building," notes ABC, noting that damage is "more than $1.5 million." And, yes, as NBC Bay Area shows us, the damage looks very severe.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

[ABC]
[Inside Scoop]

Little Baobab, the Senegalese restaurants on 19th and Capp, caught fire today. According to Twitter chatter, the fire started in the kitchen. Luckily, no one was injured and the fire was swiftly extinguished.

The good news, at least for Little Baobab fans, is that the restaurant will reopen tonight.

This morning's small blaze follows on the heels of floating San Francisco restaurant Forbes Island — wading near Piers 39 — which caught fire early this morning at around 3 a.m. "It was a small fire when we arrived but we could not get out to the island," San Francisco Battalion Chief Sam Lai told KTVU. "The fire extended from the outside to the inside… The whole restaurant began to burn."

Earlier this week, if you recall, The Merritt Bakery in Oakland also caught fire. However, unlike the two aforementioned restaurants, the bakery had to close due to severe fire damage. As we previously noted, "It's the latest in a series of mishaps for the 63-year-old diner, which nearly went out of business three years ago before a series of loans from the City of Oakland."

When blazes erupt in the Mission or that Castro, ones that displace residents, the community jumps at the chance to support the fire victims with fundraisers at local hipster bars. And we love that about you, San Francisco. But not much needed caterwauling has been heard over the family who lost a 10-year-old daughter during a fire earlier this month on Treasure Island. Until now. We reached out to Supervisor Jane Kim who told us that, indeed, there are some great fundraising efforts underway.

First, Catholics Charities have a site set up for donations. If you would like to dive into your purse to help the family as well as the 22 other people displaced by the fire, please click here. Do it.

Also, this Fundly page was created to help out the displaced residents. As of this morning, they have only a little over $2,100. It really should be higher, you guys. Go here to donate, please.

And finally, a concert at El Rio is in the pipeline to help out the family and residents. The "Treasure Island Fire Survivor Benefit" happens on Sunday, March 10th featuring Apogee Sound System, the Rabbles, and Anaconda (AKA Glendon Hyde). Ticket (which, of course, go to Treasure Island fire victims), are sliding scale from $7-$25.

Until then, go here and here and give. At the very least, spread the word via your favorite social media outlet. It's the least you can do. But please do more if you can. Thanks.

A little before 4 a.m. this morning, a fire broke out at 181 Vienna, near John McLaren Park in the Excelsior. Sadly, two elderly men were killed in the blaze. According to SF Appeal, "Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire at 4:11 a.m."

Also, according to the Chronicle, the house was quite possibly similar to one you might see on any episode of Hoarders, saying, "The home was filled with debris and garbage, making it difficult to search the home and put out the fire." Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White noted, "It was a particular challenge because the house was filled with a lot of debris and clutter that literally added fuel to the fire."

Neither of the two men have been identified. While it's not clear what, exactly, fueled the fatal fire, the deaths are "not considered to be suspicious."