UPDATE Gas Fueling Fire Near San Francisco's Alamo Square Park Shut Off; Part Of Fulton Street Evacuated
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A gas leak fueled flames coming from what appeared to be a sidewalk vent across from San Francisco's Alamo Square Park for about an hour Thursday afternoon, forcing a block of Fulton Street to be evacuated.
The incident was first reported shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday on the 1000 block of Fulton Street between Steiner and Pierce in a tweet by the San Francisco Fire Department. The fire was burning not far from the famed "Painted Ladies" along the park.
GAS LEAK WITH FIRE FULTON BETWEEN PIERCE AND STEINER
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) November 12, 2020
EVACUATIONS IN PLACE FULTON STREET BETWEEN PIERCE AND STEINER
AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/eYPuBqSZm1
Evacuations were in place on that block Fulton Street close to both Alamo Square Park and the Painted Ladies. Officer were going door to door on Fulton Street to inform residents of the evacuation order.
An update from San Francisco Fire indicated that a construction crew had punctured a gas service line and one adult had suffered a minor injury.
Video from Chopper 5 showed flames about 10 to 12 feet high coming from the sidewalk on Fulton Street next to a Dumpster that appeared to be full of construction debris. The fire did not appear to be endangering the homes nearby.
PG&E crews were on the scene with San Francisco Fire and Police personnel.
Service line hit by construction workers — 1 adult injured (Minor injury) — PGE and SFPD and SFFD on a scene working to mitigate — No structures https://t.co/4iCRaLAjiO
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) November 12, 2020
Just after 4 p.m., San Francisco Fire confirmed that PG&E had shut off the gas that was feeding the fire.
UPDATE @PGE4Me HAS THE GAS LINE SHUT OFF @OfficerRueca @SFPD https://t.co/0UFciigFwJ
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) November 13, 2020
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management also posted about the incident, asking people to avoid the area.
ALERTSF: Avoid the area of 1000 block of Fulton Street (between Pierce & Steiner St) due to Fire Activity. Emergency crews are on scene. A gas leak has been reported in the area of the 1000 block of Fulton Street (between Pierce & Steiner St). SFPD, SFFD https://t.co/yTCBz2HS9M
— San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (@SF_emergency) November 12, 2020
According to PG&E officials, as of 4:30 p.m., gas service was shut off to two buildings in the area: 1086 Fulton, where the gas incident occurred, and 1080 Fulton next door.
PG&E said gas service would be restored to to 1080 Fulton within a few hours. Gas service to 1086 Fulton will remain off as PG&E crews evaluate the damage to determine what repairs are needed before making those repairs.
As of 5 p.m. Fulton Street was still closed to traffic, but several residents who lived on the block told KPIX that they were already able to return home.