Nov 19, 2008 4:36 pm US/Pacific
Damage From SF Home Mystery Blast Nearly $350K
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
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A house on Congo St. in San Francisco's Sunnyside district as it appeared Tuesday morning after an explosion Monday.
Pool Image
Fire investigators on Wednesday estimated damage from an explosion at a home in San Francisco's Sunnyside neighborhood earlier this week at close to $350,000.
The blast Monday night inside a two-story home at 108 Congo St., which blew out the garage and part of the front of the house, left three people who were inside at the time critically injured, fire department spokeswoman Lt. Mindy Talmadge said. Two suffered second-degree burns and the third head and neck injuries, she said.
A fourth person was also hospitalized for an unrelated medical condition, while a 2-year-old child next door was treated at the scene after being hit in the face with glass from the explosion.
Talmadge said Wednesday that damage to the house and contents of the home were estimated at $340,000, plus an additional $4,500 for one home next door.
Police Monday evacuated homes on each side of the house where the explosion occurred, as well as three homes across the street.
Police spokesman Sgt. Wilfred Williams said Wednesday that most of the neighbors have been allowed back in their homes.
Crews on Tuesday afternoon were able to secure the home in order for local and federal investigators to safely inspect it.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there was no word from police or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as to the cause of the blast.
"Significant leads were developed that need to be pursued," Williams said.
He added investigators have ruled out fireworks, which were found in the home, as a possible cause.
No one has been arrested in connection with the explosion, Williams said.
An ATF spokeswoman said no federal violations were found.
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