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.
Massive fire in the panhandle at Masonic. @MLNow #sanfrancisco #fire pic.twitter.com/viuFpATjr4
— Aaron Vermut (@vermooti) December 11, 2023
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.
3rd Alarm Fire on 700 block of Masonic. Multiple buildings evacuated with a partial floor collapse. 1 person rescued and transported to local area hospital. Masonic between Hayes and Fulton is closed to traffic. Please avoid the area and find alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/atvTExY9Rt
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) December 11, 2023
Heavy fire and a partial building collapse on the intersection of Grove and Masonic. 3rd alarm #fire reported with victims rescued and transported. #sffd @SFFDPIO @KTVU @KRON4Desk @KGOdesk pic.twitter.com/dIpQI8lJCS
— San Francisco Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) December 11, 2023
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.
Video courtesy of @SFFDPIO of tonight’s 3rd alarm #fire at Grove and Masonic. Crews encountered heavy fire, rescues and multiple buildings impacted. Crews are still on scene. @DeanPreston @KTVU @KRON4Desk @sfstandard pic.twitter.com/cIvJ6hP6t2
— San Francisco Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) December 11, 2023
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.
Our volunteers are on site providing support to residents impacted by this morning's 3-alarm fire in the NOPA neighborhood. Please avoid the area of Grove & Masonic as this is still an active scene. Big thanks to @SFFDPIO as they continue to contain this fire. https://t.co/QcajubJXSB
— Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region (@RedCrossNorCal) December 11, 2023