
Apr 25, 2008 6:46 pm US/Pacific
3 Workers Hurt In Fire At SF Construction Site
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
Three workers were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries Friday after an electrical fire apparently caused by a blown transformer in an apartment building on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco, fire officials said.
Fire Lt. Mindy Talmadge said one worker suffered burns to his hands and two others were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The industrial accident took place about 1:50 p.m. in the first floor office of the multi-story building undergoing construction work at 750 Van Ness Ave.
Firefighters said contractors were drilling on concrete when they hit something that caused a fireball to shoot up.
The building's automatic sprinkler system went on immediately and firefighters also flushed the office out with water, according to Talmadge.
None of the residents of the building had to be evacuated, Talmadge said.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration representatives went to the scene to investigate.
Northbound Van Ness Avenue between Golden Gate Avenue and Eddy
Street was closed following the accident, backing up traffic. The roadway was reopened by 3 p.m.
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