4-Alarm Fire At San Francisco's Pier 45 Destroys Warehouse

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Firefighters contained a four-alarm warehouse fire that broke out early Saturday morning at Pier 45 in Fisherman's Wharf. The San Francisco Fire Department said Saturday that at least a quarter of the buildings on the pier have been destroyed, but the blaze was contained before it could spread to a historic World War II-era ship.

Fire crews initially responded to the blaze around 4:15 a.m., burning inside a warehouse the size of a football field that holds fish processing equipment and some offices. One firefighter suffered a hand injury while battling the fire, the Associated Press reported, and at least three warehouse tenants were displaced.

The fire spread through the warehouse, causing its walls to collapse and spreading to at least two nearby buildings within 30 minutes, San Francisco Fire Lt. Jonathan Baxter told reporters, prompting evacuations and causing officials to to elevate the fire to four-alarm status.

Despite the surrounding damage, crews were able to use a fire boat to save the SS Jeremiah O'Brien ship, which took part in the storming of Normandy on D-Day in 1944. The ship, a major tourist attraction, is one of two remaining fully functioning Liberty ships launched during World War II.

“Our firefighters absolutely saved the SS Jeremiah O’Brien during this fire as flames were pinching on the side of this vessel,” Baxter said.

At about 6:30 a.m., Baxter said that while still active, the fire had been contained and no longer posed a threat to surrounding buildings.

More than 130 firefighters were at the scene working to contain the fire, Baxter said. By 7:42 a.m., police began allowing fishing boats to reenter the harbor while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Officials said it's unclear what started the blaze. No injuries have been reported, and residents are being asked to avoid the area.

Good morning San Francisco. #SFFD units have been on scene at Pier 45 since 4am this morning working on a 4th alarm #fire. They will be here for a while. Please avoid the area #yoursffd pic.twitter.com/VsslRhCV0Q
— San Francisco Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) May 23, 2020

Locally smokey conditions will linger near San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf early this morning after a fire erupted at Pier 45 roughly 90 minutes ago.

View taken from Sausalito cam. pic.twitter.com/ldzZolzoFD
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) May 23, 2020

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.