Fire at San Francisco church led to shelter-in-place order, power shutoff in Lower Pacific Heights

A fire at a San Francisco church on Monday led to a large fire crew response and a shelter-in-place order, the fire department said.

Just before 2 p.m., the department said crews responded to a multi-story church at the intersection of California and Broderick for a one-alarm fire. The fire was then raised to two-alarm about 20 minutes later.

A shelter-in-place order was then issued for the 2800 block of California Street and was extended around 4:10 p.m. to include the 2600, 2700, and 2800 blocks of California Street; and the 2000 and 2100 blocks of Divisadero Street. The San Francisco Department of Emergency said the fire was causing poor air quality in the area and advised residents to close all windows and doors, turn off air conditioning and ventilation systems that bring in outside air.

By 5 p.m., over 100 firefighters had responded to the scene, and the fire response had been raised to a three-alarm.

"We have shifted from an offensive attack to a transitional approach and are now executing a defensive fire attack," the fire department said.   

PG&E said they had temporarily shut off power in the surrounding area as a precaution. The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 6:10 p.m, and the department announced around 10 p.m. that the fire was contained. 

Crews will remain at the site for firewatch.