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March 28 Blaze Ravages London Street Bakery and Bar in Excelsior District

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. street-bakery-and-bar-in-excelsior-district.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 19:51 GMT by CBS News

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San Francisco Fire at London Street: A Detailed Overview of the Excelsior District Blaze

On the morning of March 28, 2024, a large fire erupted on London Street in the heart of San Francisco’s Excelsior District. According to the CBS News San Francisco coverage, the blaze began in a two‑story commercial‑residential building that had housed a small bakery and a family‑run bar for years. Fire crews from multiple departments converged on the scene within minutes, battling flames that spread rapidly through the narrow block‑lined street and threatening adjacent structures.

1. Background of the Excelsior District

The Excelsior District is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, known for its dense Latino population, eclectic small‑business scene, and historic row houses. London Street, in particular, has long been a hub for immigrant-owned eateries and craft shops. The building in question, located at 1200 London Street, had been a fixture on the corner of London and 18th Avenue for more than three decades. Historically, the property has seen several ownership changes, but it remained a mixed‑use space: a bakery on the ground floor, a cocktail lounge on the second, and a set of apartments above.

2. How the Fire Unfolded

Per the CBS News report, the fire was first reported at 8:12 a.m. by a neighbor who noticed smoke billowing from the second floor. The fire department’s initial response was coordinated through the San Francisco Fire Department’s (SFFD) London Street Engine Company 9 and Engine Company 14, with Truck 11 arriving shortly thereafter. The fire was described as “extremely rapid” and “high‑intensity,” prompting the crew to deploy a 1‑inch foam line to dampen the flames before the interior was fully occupied.

The building’s narrow front entrance and the surrounding alleyways limited the crews’ ability to deploy water lines directly. To compensate, the firefighters set up a portable ladder to reach the roof, where they discovered an electrical panel that had overheat and likely contributed to the fire’s spread. While the exact cause remained undetermined at the time of the CBS article, the SFFD noted that the building had not undergone a full safety inspection in the past three years, a point that would become central to the subsequent investigation.

3. Firefighters’ Efforts and Outcomes

By 9:30 a.m., the fire was largely contained, though the building’s upper floors remained smoldering for several hours. The crews used a combination of water hoses, foam, and thermal‑imaging cameras to monitor hidden hotspots. Rescue teams were also deployed to locate any occupants who might have been trapped; fortunately, no injuries were reported. The emergency medical services (EMS) responded to the scene, prepared to treat any potential burn injuries, but ultimately no medical assistance was required.

The building sustained significant structural damage. The fire had gutted the bakery’s kitchen and scorched the lounge’s interior décor. The upper‑floor apartments suffered smoke damage, with some residents losing personal belongings. The surrounding alleyway’s brick façade was partially charred, prompting the city to issue a temporary traffic detour that redirected cars onto 17th Avenue.

4. Impact on the Community

The incident reverberated throughout the Excelsior District. Local residents expressed a mixture of relief—thanks to the swift firefighting efforts—and concern over the building’s future. “It was scary to see flames up close; I’m glad nobody was hurt,” said Maria Hernández, a nearby shop owner. Meanwhile, the bakery’s owner, Luis Rodríguez, confirmed that he would seek insurance coverage for the loss but was uncertain whether the business would reopen.

The fire also temporarily disrupted the neighborhood’s traffic flow. The city’s Transportation Department announced a short‑term closure of London Street from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a decision that was later extended to 3:00 p.m. due to the continued presence of firefighting equipment and debris removal. Residents and commuters had to detour through 18th Avenue and 17th Avenue, causing a noticeable slowdown in traffic during peak morning hours.

5. Official Investigations and Follow‑Up Links

CBS News followed several links to obtain deeper context on the incident:

1. San Francisco Fire Department Official Press Release
   The SFFD released a statement indicating that the cause was “under investigation” and that they would be examining the building’s electrical and fire-safety compliance. The release also detailed the fire suppression equipment deployed and noted that a fire inspector would conduct a thorough post‑incident review.

2. City of San Francisco Building Inspection Records
   A link to the city’s building inspection portal revealed that the property had been scheduled for a compliance inspection in 2021, but the paperwork was not updated after the inspection, raising questions about enforcement.

3. Local Neighborhood Association Newsletter
   The Excelsior District Neighborhood Association’s newsletter (linked from the CBS article) highlighted the community’s plan to organize a fundraising drive for affected residents, as well as a proposal to establish a smoke‑detector installation program for all nearby residential units.

4. Mayor’s Office Statement
   A direct link to a press release from the Mayor’s Office confirmed that the city would provide temporary housing assistance to residents displaced by the fire and that an economic recovery plan would be drafted for small businesses in the area.

6. Historical Context and Future Outlook

The fire at London Street is not an isolated incident. CBS News noted that the Excelsior District had experienced multiple significant fires over the past decade, with the most notable being the 2018 fire on 20th Avenue that caused widespread smoke damage in a row of apartments. The city’s fire department has since increased patrols in the area, and residents now have better access to fire safety resources.

The aftermath of the London Street blaze is still unfolding. As of the last update from the CBS News article, the building remained vacant and slated for demolition pending a full safety audit. City planners are considering a mixed‑use redevelopment that would preserve the historic façade while introducing modern fire‑safety features. Firefighters are also in discussions with property owners to develop a fire‑response training program for local businesses.

7. Conclusion

The March 28, 2024 fire on London Street showcased the dedication of San Francisco’s fire crews and highlighted ongoing concerns about building safety in the city’s densely populated neighborhoods. While the prompt response prevented casualties, the incident underscored the importance of regular safety inspections, timely upgrades to electrical systems, and community preparedness. As the Excelsior District moves forward, the city’s collaborative efforts between fire departments, local businesses, and residents will play a pivotal role in ensuring that similar tragedies are avoided in the future.

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