Massive San Francisco fire forces evacuations as floor collapses

A huge fire early Monday morning partially collapsed a San Francisco apartment building’s floor and sent two people to a hospital for treatment.

When firefighters arrived at 720 Masonic Ave. within minutes, they saw heavy fire coming from all three floors between Grove and Hayes streets in the city’s NoPa neighborhood. The buildings on either side of the blaze also sustained damage.

More than 100 firefighters, 17 engines and trucks, alongside five battalion chiefs, battled the blaze for more than an hour to get it under control.

One person suffered moderate injuries after jumping from the rear of the building’s third floor, while firefighters were able to escort another person from inside. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment, and their conditions were not immediately available.

San Francisco Fire Department firefighters responded to a report of flames around 3:20 a.m., fire Lt. Mariano Elias told The Standard.

The building suffered a roof and floor collapse, and is expected to be demolished at some point, with buildings on either side also suffering damage, Elias said. Masonic Avenue between Hayes and Grove will likely remain closed into Monday evening while firefighters finish hot spots and investigators carry out efforts.

Seven people, including the two injured, were displaced by the fire, with Red Cross Bay Area staff helping to provide resources.

According to a post on the Citizen news platform, police also responded to the fire, helping to close off Masonic between Hayes and Fulton streets to traffic.