A three-alarm blaze in the Inner Richmond has displaced multiple residents as investigators try to determine the cause.

The fire broke out just before 2 p.m., Friday afternoon, in a multi-unit, 3-story building at 2nd Avenue and Geary Street. The fire was quickly upgraded to three alarms in just over 10 minutes, and firefighters had difficulty battling the blaze because of overhead wires in its vicinity. "They had tough laddering conditions, as you can see," SFFD Deputy Chief Mark Gonzalez told ABC 7. "We face these difficulties a lot when we come to these buildings where we have the wires."

Firefighters managed to clear the residents who were home at the time and were able to keep the flames from engulfing the entire building. "Luckily, during this time of the day there aren't many people home," Gonzales told the Chronicle. Smoke could be seen across the city, and the fire was eventually put out before 3 p.m.

KRON says at least two residents have been displaced by the fire, but that number is likely higher as a few were probably at work when it broke out.

Arson investigators are working to determine the cause.

Smelled smoke in the building and heard a bang. I looked outside and saw this. Hope everyone is ok.

A video posted by Jason Tiongson (@jayt915) on