Fire ignites at Parkmerced sixth-floor apartment Thursday evening

Over 30 residents were evacuated for over an hour

Paula Sibulo, Staff Reporter • Dec 12, 2024

San Francisco Police Department and Fire Department respond to a fire on the sixth floor of 350 Arballo Dr. at Parkmerced on the night of Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Dan Hernandez / Golden Gate Xpress)

A fire ignited on the sixth floor of a Parkmerced apartment building at 350 Arballo Dr. Thursday evening.

The first 911 call came from a passerby at 8:01 p.m., reporting that flames were coming out of a sixth-floor window, according to Justin Schorr, a San Francisco Fire Department Public Information Officer.

SFFD found two rooms on fire and was able to extinguish the flames, according to Schorr. There are no reported injuries or victims, according to San Francisco Police Officer James Sayasane.

William Gardell and Bella Castro, two residents who live one floor below the fire, said they heard a fire alarm and saw thick smoke coming from the sixth-floor fire escape when they were evacuating the building. They said they initially hesitated when they heard the alarm.

“It depends on if you smell smoke because sometimes it really is just people smoking in their rooms,” Gardell said.

The extent of damage is unknown, according to a tweet from SFFD but residents have been allowed back into the building.

SFFD’s arson squad is investigating the cause of the fire at this time, according to SFFD Assistant Chief Patrick Rabbitt.

This is a developing story.

About the Contributors

Paula Sibulo, Staff Reporter

Paula Sibulo is a staff reporter for Golden Gate Xpress. She is majoring in Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) and minoring in journalism. Growing up in Marietta, Ohio, Paula frequently visited her local news station, which sparked her interest in journalism. Before attending San Francisco State University, she was a reporter, anchor, and social media director in Elk Grove, California, for her high school TV news program, Wolfpack TV. Paula most recently worked at ABC8/FOX11 as a news intern reporting on the capital city of Charleston, West Virginia. During her free time, she enjoys creating content for her blog, Sibulo's Scoop, and doing ceramics! Paula Sibulo es reportera para Golden Gate Xpress. Estudia Artes de Comunicación Electrónica en Radiodifusión (BECA) con una Especialización en Periodismo. Al crecer en Marietta, Ohio, Paula solía visitar su estación de noticias local, lo que generó su interés en el periodismo. Antes de asistir a la Universidad Estatal de San Francisco, era reportera, presentadora y directora de redes sociales en Elk Grove, California, para el programa de noticias de televisión de su escuela secundaria, Wolfpack TV. Recientemente trabajó en ABC8/FOX11 como pasante de noticias, reportando desde la ciudad capital de Charleston, West Virginia. En su tiempo libre, le gusta crear contenido para su blog, Sibulo's Scoop, y hacer cerámica.

Dan Hernandez, A&E Editor

Dan Hernandez (he/him) is the Arts & Entertainment editor and former visuals editor for Golden Gate Xpress, majoring in journalism and minoring in business administration. He is an award-winning multimedia journalist who does press photography and news reporting. He started in journalism as a 15-year-old staff writer for The Advocate at Contra Costa College before becoming editor-in-chief as a high school senior. Outside of journalism, he is probably camping on a road trip, playing water polo, riding his bike or sipping on a Baja Blast. He also goes by the nickname “Biscuit.” Dan Hernandez (él) es redactor de arte y entretenimiento para Golden Gate Xpress. Anteriormente, era redactor visual para el periódico. Estudia periodismo con una concentración en administración de negocios. Es un periodista de multimedia premiado que se dedica a la fotografía de prensa y la cobertura de noticias. Su carrera en periodismo empezó a los 15 años cuando empezó a escribir para The Advocate en Contra Costa College. Se convirtió en el director del periódico en su último año de la secundaria. Fuera del periodismo, se puede encontrar acampando, jugando waterpolo, montando en bicicleta o disfrutando de un Baja Blast. También es conocido por el apoyo “Biscuit”.