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Mysterious explosions heard across SF as police investigate ‘small devices’

Police officers assigned to Tenderloin Station responded to Willow Street and Polk Street on a report of a possible explosion on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. When officers arrived on scene, they found that several building windows on Willow Street were broken and a parked vehicle was damaged. The aftermath is seen pictured on Sept. 19, 2022. | Paul Kuroda for The Standard

San Francisco police are investigating a string of small explosions reported in various locations across the city. 

Residents took to Twitter and contacted law enforcement after hearing explosions in Hayes Valley and the Tenderloin. 

The explosions were confirmed by police, who reported several buildings with broken windows at Willow Street and damage to a business’s window at Fulton Street; no injuries have been reported.

Explosions were also heard in District 9, which includes the Mission, according to one Twitter user. That report has yet to be confirmed by police. 

Police Captain Derrick Jackson of Northern Station confirmed there was “a small device that was set off in the area of 355 Fulton between Franklin and Gough.”

“There was damage to a business plate glass window, but no civilians were injured,” said Jackson in an email to the Hayes Valley Safe community group.

“I was also made aware that this has happened recently, more than once. We are investigating and will be following-up to hopefully identify who is responsible for these acts. I will keep the community updated with any information I receive.”

Police officers assigned to Tenderloin Station responded to Willow Street and Polk Street on a report of a possible explosion on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022. The aftermath is seen pictured on Sept. 19, 2022. | Paul Kuroda for The Standard

A San Francisco police spokesperson told The Standard that on Saturday at approximately 3:50 p.m., police officers assigned to Tenderloin Station responded to Willow Street and Polk Street to a report of a possible explosion.

“When officers arrived on scene, they found that several building windows on Willow Street were broken and a parked vehicle was damaged,” the spokesperson said in an email. “Officers located a witness, who did not see the incident but reportedly heard a loud explosion. No one was injured as a result of this incident. Members of the San Francisco Police Department Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EDO) responded to the scene and took over the investigation.”

When officers arrived on scene, they found that several building windows on Willow Street were broken and a parked vehicle was damaged. The aftermath is seen pictured on Sept. 19, 2022. | Paul Kuroda for The Standard

San Francisco police have been contacted for an update on the investigation and asked if explosions have been reported in other parts of the city.

Police say no arrests have been made and this remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.

Joe Burn can be reached at jburn@sfstandard.com