San Francisco

Residents Displaced in Massive San Francisco Bernal Heights Fire Return to Gather Belongings

The residents were able to get inside and get their personal belongings, 48 hours after the massive blaze that spread to at least six buildings and sent two people to the hospital.

People forced from their homes when a devastating five-alarm fire ripped through their apartments in San Francisco's Bernal Heights this weekend were able to return for the first time Monday.

The residents were able to get inside and get their personal belongings, 48 hours after the massive blaze that spread to at least six buildings and sent two people to the hospital.

Unfortunately, those who live in the grey and green apartment buildings will not be allowed to go home again after city engineers deemed the complex structurally unsafe.

City engineers are also set to order an emergency demolition that could happen as early as Tuesday.

After witnessing the intensity of the flames -- and now the aftermath -- most people are just grateful no one was killed or seriously injured.

"We lost things, but my family's OK," said Alex Juarez, who was displaced by the fire.

Those who live in the single residential occupancy units at Graywood Hotel are set to be allowed back in Tuesday to get their belongings, but only after the health department clears it of hazards like asbestos.

The city also said contrary to other reports, Graywood Hotel had functioning sprinklers and alarms that went off during the blaze.

Authorities said it appears the fire began around or near the Cole Hardware store, but the exact cause and origin are under investigation by the fire department.

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