San Francisco firefighters responded to a one-alarm fire on the 1800 block of Taraval Street early Sunday morning, the department said on social media.
Two people were displaced by the fire, and one of the displaced people was taken to the hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, according to San Francisco Fire Capt. Justin Schorr.
The fire impacted The Great Wall Hardware store in the 1800 of Taraval Street, Schorr said. No one was working in the store at the time of the fire, which was first reported at 3:48 a.m., according to Schorr.
Albert Chow, the owner of Great Wall Hardware store, was trying to deal with the aftermath of the fire, while friends and neighbors showed their support Sunday.
“It hasn’t settled in yet. I haven’t even had breakfast,” he said.
The store was boarded up after the early morning fire. Chow told NBC Bay Area that his mom lives upstairs.
“She was the one who founded the store and she has some smoke inhalation,” he said. “So they took her to UCSF for observation but she is OK. She has been given a clean slate.”
Chow said the family has owned the Great Wall Hardware store since 1983 and it’s one of the San Francisco’s legacy businesses.
“I’m also the president of the People of Parkside Sunset, which is the Taraval Merchants Association,” she said.
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Chow told NBC Bay Area that merchants and community members have come out to support so he doesn’t feel like he’s taking on this challenge alone.
“I was horrified absolutely horrified it’s such a blow and he’s such a good guy,” said Angie Pettit, Chow’s friend. “I knew his mom was living here. I was very nervous but so happy to hear she is OK.”
The Red Cross is aiding the displaced residents, according to Schorr.
No firefighters were injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
