A two-alarm fire at an apartment building in downtown San Diego left 16 people displaced Monday, sent one man to the hospital, and caused about $850,000 in damage, authorities said.
Firefighters sent to 1440 Fourth Ave. spotted flames shooting from an upstairs room around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Capt. Joseph Amador of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Concerns that residents may have been trapped inside the two-story building near Beech Street prompted authorities to call for additional firefighters, Amador said. Crews raised ladders to help residents seen hanging out of their windows.
At least one person jumped from a second-story window as the fire burned. Amador said a man who was injured in the jump also suffered possible smoke inhalation and was taken to a hospital to be treated.
The blaze was extinguished in about 20 minutes, Amador said. Investigators later determined it had started accidentally, but its exact cause was not immediately disclosed.
Amador said the American Red Cross was summoned to assist the 16 residents displaced by the fire.
