A two-alarm fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. this morning near Bartlett and 24th Street in the Mission, leaving two victims in critical condition. SFFD has yet to determine the cause of the fire, but the recent high winds made things more complicated for fire crews this morning, causing the top-floor blaze to spread to an adjacent building. Despite the heavy winds, the Fire Department managed to douse the flames within an hour. more ›

This gem of a story reminds us why we should make an effort to watch the local TV news more often. Some poor 21-year-old kid in Vallejo took his friends up on a $100 dare, in which he lubed himself with laundry detergent and climbed into a baby swing at Blue Rock Springs Park on Friday night. Then he got stuck. more ›

The Chronicle reports three firefighters have been injured while battling a blaze that broke out around 10:45 am this morning on Berkeley Way in Diamond Heights. According to an SFFD spokesperson, two firefighters were found badly burned after a "flashover" knocked them unconscious inside the blazing four-story home. The third was in the same room, but suffered minor injuries and was able to walk out under his own power. All three were rushed to San Francisco General. As usual, we'll update with details as we get them. more ›

They seem rather upset. Why? Because because the city budget is bad for them, and the cuts will hurt them. So, they want to BOS to cut other services. Or something. Anyway, here they (and their supporters) are chanting "let us in" outside today's Board of Supervisors Meeting. For more comprehensive info, Chris Roberts is live blogging the entire thing. more ›

Another fire hit the Mission District, but this time no one was displaced or injured. It seems that Giant's Jewelers on 24th Street (between South Van Ness and Capp, next to the Napper Tandy) caught fire. Photog Chris Brennan captured the awful brilliance of firefighters arriving at the scene, the welding of axes and ladders (just like they do in cartoons!), and virile men fighting the blaze. Fortunately, no one was hurt, save for some sparkling gems, but check out Brennan's superb shots of the fiery action. more ›

Last night's four-alarm fire at Valencia and 25th/26th Streets roared for two long hours, brought the Dovre Club's St. Paddy's Day revelry to a halt, and left 59 people temporarily homeless. Over 130 firefighters were on the scene, and only two people suffered minor injuries. Whew. more ›