Multiple occupants of a three-story apartment building at Fillmore and Fulton streets were rescued through windows on the second and third floors during a two-alarm fire early Thursday morning.

The San Francisco Fire Department reported on social media that crews arrived at 865 Fillmore Street at Fulton Street just before 2 am Thursday to find heavy flames pouring from the second floor with multiple residents trapped inside.

A second alarm was quickly called as firefighters deployed ground and aerial ladders from multiple trucks to reach people stranded at second- and third-floor windows, rescuing 18 occupants. One person was injured in the blaze and is expected to recover.

The department said the fire spread to a neighboring building at 855 Fillmore Street, but it was contained to the two structures without reaching surrounding properties. It appears that Cheers On Demand, the corner store on the first floor of the building where the fire originated, sustained less damage, though video showed firefighters sawing their way into its front door.

According to KPIX, the blaze was brought under control shortly before 4 am, after firefighters spent more than an hour battling the blaze. SFFD Chief Dean Crispen praised the response.

"Our members did an outstanding job,” said Cripsen. “I’d like to commend all of them."

Nineteen residents from four units were reportedly displaced by the fire. The fire department said Muni provided a bus as a temporary shelter while the American Red Cross and the San Francisco Human Services Agency assisted people affected by the fire.

At one point during the response, fire officials asked the public to avoid the area while crews continued extinguishing hotspots and searching the buildings. Firefighters remained at the scene for several hours afterward as investigators worked to determine what sparked the blaze.

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Image: Ron Henggeler