2,000-pound concrete slab threatening to fall from SF building



Live video: KTVU

At least 10 San Francisco office buildings in the South of Market neighborhood were evacuated Wednesday afternoon as a malfunctioning crane threatened to knock down a 2,000-pound wall of concrete on the 30th floor of a skyscraper under construction, officials said.

People were evacuated from seven buildings on Howard Street, two on Tehama Street and one on Second Street shortly before 3 p.m. as a crane began leaning precariously into a concrete wall at 41 Tehama St. that could potentially fall, said Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman with the San Francisco Fire Department.

"If the crane falls, it could take the concrete wall down," said Baxter.

A malfunctioning crane threatened to unleash a 2,000 pound concrete slab from the 30th floor of 41 Tehama St., officials said. A malfunctioning crane threatened to unleash a 2,000 pound concrete slab from the 30th floor of 41 Tehama St., officials said. Photo: Video Frame Grab Via KTVU Photo: Video Frame Grab Via KTVU Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close 2,000-pound concrete slab threatening to fall from SF building 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Hundreds of passersby in business suits and ties gathered on Second and Howard streets to watch the commotion as firefighters went door-to-door asking people to leave their buildings immediately.

The evacuated buildings were mostly office buildings, Baxter said.

"This is all precautionary stuff. We are looking at a potential slab falling. If that slab falls, we are looking at danger below. We are not sure where yet, " Baxter said, adding that the concern is that parts of the slab could also ricochet and hit surrounding buildings.

There are no known injuries.

And the construction company, whose name was immediately released, was cooperating with the fire department, Baxter said.

Christa Reynolds, a yoga teacher, had parked her car on Tehama Street when police started to block the area. Reynolds hurried back to her car before police finished blocking the area because she forgot one important thing: her 14-year-old pet dog.

"I thought, 'my car I could do without,'" Reynolds said. "I couldn't do without him."

Michael Bodley and Sarah Ravani are a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com, sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley, @SarRavani