San Francisco landslide leaves 150 displaced,
extensive damage

By Aimee Strain, Bay City News Service

February 27, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco fire and building officials are keeping a close eye on a 75-foot-wide landslide in North Beach this morning that has forced the evacuation of four buildings, one of which is the Broadway Showgirls Cabaret gentlemen's club at 412 Broadway.

About 150 people have been evacuated from the four buildings located at 412, 426 and 432 Broadway and 455 Vallejo St., according to San Francisco Fire Lt. Ken Smith.

Heavy rains caused the slide, which is about 25 feet deep and 36 feet high, according to Smith.

"Near the top side of the landslide (at 455 Vallejo St.), the foundation is compromised and we are concerned that if rock continues to erode that the structure will come down," Smith said.

Forty-five units, the majority the evacuations, were at the Vallejo Street address, and two units each at 426 and 432 Broadway have been evacuated.

Officials were first alerted to the slide by a building alarm at Showgirls, and upon arrival around 3:17 a.m. the landslide was discovered.

Reports from residents came in shortly thereafter about a noticeable landslide, Smith said.

"There's a pretty significant amount rock that's come down from that mountain," Smith said.

"This rock is coming down with great force and slamming up against these buildings," he said.

Smith estimates that it will take days if not weeks to repair the damage. "It will be an extensive operation to get the rock out . . . it will be a big project."

No injuries have been reported, but police and firefighters have blocked off both directions of Broadway between Montgomery and Sansome streets as a result of the landslide and evacuations.

The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.

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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