10:10 AM: NOTE: In the update previous, the Police Department said today’s fire in North Beach was considered suspicious. A fire department spokeswoman has since clarified that it is believed to be accidental. The updated story below contains the correct information.
A fire in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood early this morning that sent three people to the hospital and caused about $1.5 million in damage is believed to be accidental, a fire department spokeswoman said.
The two-alarm fire was reported at 12:13 a.m. in two residential units at 1547 and 1549 Powell St., San Francisco fire Lt. Mindy Talmadge said.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze by 12:55 a.m., Talmadge said.
Two men and a woman, all in their 80s, were taken to St. Francis Memorial Hospital. One had a foot laceration, while the other two were just taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, Talmadge said.
The fire displaced a total of 13 people, including five children, she said. Residents in neighboring buildings evacuated while firefighters battled the blaze but were able to return to their homes.
The fire caused “quite extensive” damage that totaled about $1.5 million to the building’s structure and contents, Talmadge said.
She said firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly considering the location of the building, which was surrounded by other buildings in the middle of the block and only accessible by narrow alleyways.
The fire is not considered suspicious and is “most likely electrical in nature,” Talmadge said.
9:04 AM: A fire that injured three elderly people in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood early this morning has been ruled suspicious, police said.
The two-alarm fire was reported at about 12:40 a.m. at 1545 Powell St., between Vallejo and Green streets, a fire dispatcher said.
Two men, ages 81 and 88, and an 84-year-old woman were injured in the blaze, police said. The victims were taken to St. Francis Memorial Hospital. Their injuries are not considered to be life threatening.
A fire department spokesperson was not immediately available this morning to provide more information about what sparked the blaze that displaced about 25 people, including five children.
The American Red Cross responded to assist the residents with temporary housing.
2:01 AM: A fire in San Francisco left three hospitalized and dozens displaced this morning, a fire dispatcher said.
Crews responded to the fire at 1545 Powell St., between Vallejo and Green streets, at around 12:40 a.m. and had the blaze under control by 12:55 a.m.
Three people were taken to St. Francis Memorial Hospital. The extent of injuries was not immediately known, the dispatcher said.
The dispatcher said that around 25 people were displaced by the fire, including five children. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist with temporary housing.
Responders were still at the scene as of 1:45 a.m.
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