WebProNews

Tag: apartment fires

  • San Francisco Fire: Blaze Quelled By Firefighters

    It took 150 firefighters and 90 firetrucks, but a “five-alarm fire” that is burning in San Francisco, Calif. has been successfully brought under control.

    The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the fire, said to be the largest seen in several years, consumed a large apartment building on Fourth Street. There were no residents in the building as it had been under construction.

    Prior to the efforts of fire officials to successfully contain the blaze, it was described as “fast moving”. Fire Capt. Matthew McNaughton blamed the “open construction of the building” for the fire’s ability to spread so rapidly..

    The fire began at around 5:00 pm local time and as it spread residents were evacuated from surrounding buildings as a precaution. Witnesses described billowing clouds of blackish smoke and the scaffolding melting due to the intense heat of the blaze. Chunks of the 80 foot structure were said to have fallen away.

    Thanks to the efficient work of officials, there were no reported fatalities or serious injuries. One firefighter was said to have received minor burns while fighting the blaze.

    Efforts to contain the huge fire went on late into the night, which was deemed successfully contained in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

    McNaughton suspected that whatever caused the fire had been smoldering for at least an hour. He described the core of the blaze as looking like “a volcano”. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

    The most unfortunate aspect of the fire is that it might have been largely prevented. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said that the building’s sprinkler system had not been put in yet, a fact that is expected to make reconstruction of the unfinished project that much more expensive.

    A statement released by BRE Properties on Tuesday said that despite the extensive damage caused to the apartment building, they’re fairly certain most of it will be covered by insurance.

    It’s expected that fire officials will continue to monitor the situation well into Wednesday. The building is expected to collapse at some point as a result of the fire.

    Image via YouTube

  • Minneapolis Explosion Erupts In Apartment Building

    There was a New Year’s tragedy today when an early morning explosion resulted in a fire inside a three-story building containing apartments and a grocery store. There have been at least 14 reported injuries with 6 being in critical condition from the fire located within Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Some of the victims have been transported to Hennepin County Medical Center.

    According to Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel, “Not everybody has been accounted for in this building. It is possible that some are still inside.” Since authorities did not have an official count regarding the number of individuals who were actually inside the building when the fire erupted, there have been additional complications during the search and rescue process to ensure the safety of those involved.

    John Fruetel explained how rescue efforts were hindered by the intensity of the fire. “Upon arrival, crews made entry into the first floor of this structure. Conditions became untenable very quickly, with major fires coming out of the second and third floors. Crews had to back out and go into defensive position outside of the building, applying water.” Fruetel said.

    Present reports have not specified whether additional nearby businesses suffered from the explosion. Palmer’s Bar is located on the same block as the fire, and there is a mosque within the same vicinity though neither have reported damages.

    According to Hennepin County Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert Ball, “It’s not clear whether people were pushed out of the building from the explosion or whether they fell or jumped out of windows to escape.”

    At this time, authorities have not determined the cause of the explosion and fire. The building was last inspected in 2012, and according to a Minneapolis Fire Department release there were no lingering concerns from the inspection.

    Roughly 50 firefighters were involved with the exhaustive rescue efforts. “I know we’ve had a number of trips and falls but no reported injuries (to firefigthers), which is remarkable,” Freutel shared.

    Image Via NDN