Devastating #MissionFire - several bldgs gone, many families displaced - more: https://t.co/VGAgk6htKJ Thx @sffdpio pic.twitter.com/tsaOOVk6kC
— Ted Weinstein Lit. (@twliterary) June 19, 2016
The fire that broke out at 29th and Mission Streets Saturday ultimately took more than 150 firefighters to battle it and burned through six buildings on 3300 block of Mission. As the Chronicle tells us, 42 people have been displaced by the blaze, which broke out around 2 p.m. and would not be contained until 6:30 p.m. (The number of displaced people has since gone up to 58.)
Employees at Good Frickin Chicken nearby said they heard an explosion prior to the fire breaking out, and that is now under investigation. The restaurant also helped out by feeding firefighters who spent hours tackling the inferno. Water was still being hosed onto the scene at midnight.
UPDATE: Employee of nearby Good Frikin Chicken tells SF Examiner he heard "explosion" when fire started pic.twitter.com/u0sP0uD1aP
— SF Examiner (@sfexaminer) June 18, 2016
Thank you to Good Frickin Chicken for feeding all of #Sffd and @SFPD personnel on scene. #community pic.twitter.com/uigCbgssql
— SF Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) June 19, 2016
SFFD units still on scene for Mission Dist Fire. #SFFD pic.twitter.com/Lgf5S31HJa
— SF Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) June 19, 2016
As KQED reports, no major injuries were reported but three bystanders were treated for smoke inhalation. Also, nine businesses were affected, including the 3300 Club bar and Playa Azul restaurant.
More tragically, some of the residents displaced were formerly homeless, and one family had previously been displaced by the 2015 fire at 22nd and Mission. 48 Hills focuses on the loss of affordable units caused by the fire, some of which were renting for $1200 to $1400 per month.
The Red Cross pledged to house the displaced within 24 hours, but many of them spent Saturday night in a temporary shelter.
Fire victims are transported to shelter overnight. Red Cross rep said no " plans to house them past next 24 hours." pic.twitter.com/er8Z0BGpJG
— Mission Local (@MLNow) June 19, 2016
On the brighter side, ABC 7 found one displaced resident who was reunited with his two cats who he thought may have perished in the blaze.
A man who feared his 2 cats perished in the #MissionFire was reunited w/ them tonight. https://t.co/x4EoIeKEb8https://t.co/hJWIgtY6YJ
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) June 19, 2016