North Beach blaze appears to be accidental, SF fire officials say

The fire that ripped through a three-story commercial and residential building in North Beach on Saturday evening was accidental, fire officials said Monday.

While the fire remains under investigation, preliminary findings appeared to rule out foul play as the cause of the blaze that displaced eight people from their homes. No injuries were reported.

Crews responded to the fire at 659 Union Street at 7:25 p.m., one minute after it was reported. At the peak of the blaze, more than 130 firefighters and 40 fire units were on the scene.

The fire was contained at 11:18 p.m. and brought under control by 1:15 a.m. Sunday, fire officials said.

Members of the San Francisco Police Department carry equipment toward the scene of a fire in North Beach on Saturday. Members of the San Francisco Police Department carry equipment toward the scene of a fire in North Beach on Saturday. Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close North Beach blaze appears to be accidental, SF fire officials say 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, whose district includes the building that burned, criticized the Fire Department for being slow to pour water on the blaze, calling it an “abject failure” of the department as the building burned.

Fire officials released a detailed account of the department’s response Monday. Crews were first sent inside the building to search for occupants and to run hose lines to the interior, officials said.

ALSO READ: Supervisor Aaron Peskin rips SF fire chief as North Beach building burns

The Fire Department said that crews could douse the flames with water from the outside only after the building was emptied. Pouring water on the building could cause the fire and hot spots to move, officials said, risking injury to firefighters and anyone still inside.

The building was searched and cleared at 7:53 p.m., officials said, and no occupants were found inside.

At least 10 businesses and two adjoining apartment buildings were evacuated Saturday night.