Performing Arts Center affected by three-alarm blaze

By Emmett Berg, Bay City News Service

March 19, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A battle was underway to contain a fire that broke out in the upper floors of a residential building this afternoon in San Francisco's Hayes Valley district, a fire department officer said.

Public Information Officer Mindy Talmadge said she heard an unconfirmed report that a person leaped from a window.

Talmadge said there were no confirmed reports of injuries or other casualties.

The department escalated its response to a third-alarm level following first arrival at the scene, 52 Page St between Market and Gough streets.

The fire was compromising the integrity of the building's roof and firefighters were maneuvering to better ensure their safety, Talmadge said.

An adjoining building caught fire as well, she said. There was no immediate update on the address of that building. A witness reported fire ladder trucks positioned on the Kanbar Performing Arts Center.

A witness near the fire reported billowing black smoke and windows broken out in the building's top floor.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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