11:31 AM: A four-alarm fire that started at a restaurant in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood injured two firefighters and shut down light-rail service on multiple Municipal Railway lines this morning, fire and transit officials said.
The fire was reported around 4:40 a.m. at the Squat and Gobble Cafe and Crepery at 1 West Portal Ave. and was still not officially declared under control as of shortly before 11:30 a.m., fire department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.
The flames also spread to adjacent businesses on West Portal Avenue as well as a building at 819 Ulloa St., Talmadge said.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze. One suffered a laceration while another suffered smoke inhalation and had to be transported to a hospital, Talmadge said.
The response by firefighters prompted the shutdown of Muni’s West Portal station, affecting light-rail service on the K-Ingleside, L-Taraval and M-Ocean View lines, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said.
Bus shuttles were put in place along the lines until service resumed at 10:05 a.m., Rose said.
Talmadge said the fire is not being considered suspicious, according to an initial investigation.
9:36 AM: American Red Cross volunteers are providing assistance at a four-alarm fire at a West Portal restaurant in San Francisco that is still burning this morning.
The fire was reported around 4:40 a.m. at 1 and 9 W. Portal Ave and was not under control as of 9:30 a.m., San Francisco fire officials said.
The address is the location of Squat and Gobble Cafe and Crepery.
One firefighter suffered minor smoke inhalation while battling the blaze but did not need to be taken to a hospital, fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said.
Another person was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, fire officials said.
At least six Red Cross volunteers were at the scene this morning assisting firefighters by providing tea, coffee, snacks and water, Red Cross spokesman Woody Baker-Cohn said.
Although the fire broke out in a mainly commercial area, some nearby apartments were affected by flames and smoke. Some residents are expected to be displaced, Baker-Cohn said.
Short-term evacuations are in place at five apartments because of heavy smoke, but those residents are expected to be able to return to their homes, he said.
The Red Cross spokesman said many of the area’s small businesses owners have come out to assess damage to their shops.
A wine shop next door to Squat and Gobble at 9 W. Portal Ave., Vin Debut, appears to have sustained storefront damage including shattered windows, Baker-Cohn said.
Because of the fire, all San Francisco Municipal Railway service at the West Portal station has been shut down, affecting the K-Ingleside, L-Taraval and M-Ocean View lines.
L line riders can pick up shuttles at 22nd Avenue and Taraval Street, while K and M riders can find shuttle service at Vicente Street and 15th Avenue, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said.
Shuttles will be in place until the fire scene clears. Regular service will resume once Muni officials inspect overhead wires, Rose said.
7:37 AM: A four-alarm fire is still burning in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood this morning and has shut down all light-rail service in the area, fire and transit officials said.
The blaze was reported around 4:40 a.m. at 1 and 9 W. Portal Ave. and was upgraded to a fourth alarm at about 6:30 a.m. The fire was still not under control as of shortly before 7:30 a.m., fire officials said.
The fire has prompted the shutdown of all San Francisco Municipal Railway service at the West Portal station, affecting the K-Ingleside, L-Taraval and M-Ocean View lines.
Shuttles are taking downtown-bound passengers from 19th Avenue on the L line, 19th and Holloway avenues on the M line and at Junipero Serra Boulevard on the K line.
Outbound light-rail service on those lines is turning back around at the Castro station, according to Muni officials.
One firefighter suffered minor smoke inhalation while batting the blaze but did not need to be taken to a hospital, fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said. No other injuries have been reported.
7:17 AM: Firefighters have upgraded a fire at the Squat and Gobble restaurant in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood to a 4-alarm fire this morning and is impacting Muni commuters, according to the San Francisco fire chief.
The fire activity at the West Portal tunnel is blocking the inbound K-Ingleside & M-Ocean View Muni lines, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
Shuttles departing from St. Francis Circle are in place to take commuters downtown. The L-Taraval Muni line is not impacted at this time, according to the SFMTA.
One firefighter has experienced minor smoke inhalation, but did not need to be transported. No other injuries have been reported, San Francisco fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said.
The fire at 1 and 9 W. Portal Ave. was reported at 4:40 a.m. and was upgraded to a four-alarm fire at about 6:30 a.m., according to Hayes-White.
Hannah Albarazi, Bay City News
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