Mission District fire leaves 1 dead, 3 injured / 'Everything was in flames,' one S.F. resident says
Building construction was an issue in this fire:
"It was a very tough fire, there was a lot in the walls," she said. "It took about two hours to get under control. It was very stubborn in the walls and the attic. ... We (still) have crews out there doing fire watch, because sometimes little hot spots get a little whiff of oxygen and will flare up again. We have been having some little flare ups, and they quash those as soon as they start."
Talmadge said the blaze was particularly difficult to battle because it got into the light wells of the adjacent buildings and behind the metal flash lining in those light wells.
31 people at first count, were displaced, but they believe the number may be much higher than that. The Red Cross is providing emergency shelter for those that need it.
One of the victims was a former Olympic Athlete (Remember..this IS San Francisco
Raphael Muniz, 74, was displaced from his home at 25 Duboce Ave. by the fire. Muniz, a retired Muni inspector who said he swam for Mexico in the 1952 Olympic Games, said he ran out of his third-floor apartment "faster than I swam in Helsinki."
That would be 59 seconds, he said.
"Everything was in flames, flames were coming out everywhere and it smelled like rubber," said Muniz, who was naked until he realized there might be ladies outside, and decided to put on some pants.
