Fire officials said there are no reports of injuries after a fire roared through a three-story apartment building in San Francisco early this morning.
The three-alarm fire in the building at 4143 Barcelona Ave. was reported just after 5 a.m. The apartment building is located near the area of Geary Boulevard and Masonic Avenue.
San Francisco fire lt. Mindy Talmage said the structure is a "soft-story" building, meaning the ground floor consists mostly of garage space, but that there is also an in-law unit on that floor.
Fire officials said the fire started on the first floor, then spread to the top floor, and then to an adjoining building.
The fire was intensified by flames burning behind metal sheeting that lines a light well, she said. Additionally, the fire was concentrated in the rear of the building, which made it difficult to combat.
"It was a little challenging getting to that area," Talmadge said.
The blaze went to three alarms and spread to a two-story apartment building next door before firefighters were able to control it shortly before 6:30 a.m., she said.
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15 people were displaced, she said.
The American Red Cross was called in to assist the affected residents and has provided shelter to five residents, Talmadge said. The others were able to find a place to stay.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and investigators are working to assess the damage.
