San Francisco investigates fire alarms after deadly blaze
San Francisco Fire Department members fight a four-alarm fire at 22nd and Mission Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Fire officials say one person is dead and at least four people have been injured in the massive, four-alarm fire in San Francisco's Mission District. (AP Photo/San Francisco Chronicle, Scott Strazzante)
SAN FRANCISCO >> Officials are investigating whether fire alarms and fire escapes were working properly after a massive blaze ripped through a building in San Francisco’s bustling Mission District, killing a man and injuring five other people.
San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said Thursday that residents evacuated from the burning building reported that they didn’t hear fire alarms and that access to fire escapes was encumbered or blocked.
City officials say the building passed a routine inspection two years ago.
Firefighters rescued six people from fire escapes shortly after 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in the building that includes housing, offices, shops, restaurants and the Mission Market.
Several restaurants and businesses on the ground floor were severely damaged.
Officials are still trying to determine a cause, but they don’t believe arson is to blame.
