The San Francisco Fire Department released more information today about a daring rescue of a woman by two firefighters who responded to a three-alarm residential fire on the city’s Mission Street early Monday morning.
The blaze, which was reported at about 5:50 a.m. Monday, damaged three duplexes in the 4000 block of Mission Street near Glen Park and Bernal Heights, fire department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.
The first crews to arrive were met by people who frantically told them that a woman was trapped inside one of the buildings at 4020 Mission St., Talmadge said.
Two firefighters, an engine officer and crewmember from Engine Company 32, went into the building without a hose line and tried to find the woman, she said.
Despite heavy smoke and heat, the firefighters were able to crawl up to the second floor and find the woman, who was unconscious in a hallway. They took her outside where paramedics revived her and transported her to the hospital, Talmadge said.
The woman’s injuries were considered life-threatening on Monday, and Talmadge did not have an update on her condition as of today.
Talmadge said the actions of the firefighters, both of whom are women who have been with the department for more than 10 years, were “pretty amazing.”
She said, “It was completely black, but they felt around and found her and pulled her out.”
The fire was eventually extinguished by about 7 a.m. after causing nearly $1.5 million in damage to the three duplexes.
The blaze displaced 28 people, including the woman who was rescued and another person who was hospitalized with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, Talmadge said.
Two dogs were also taken to San Francisco Animal Care and Control to be cared for while the residents arranged temporary housing.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but it is not being considered suspicious, she said.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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