Two teenagers told police Friday night that they were responsible for the four-alarm grass fire that erupted in South San Francisco earlier that day, burning on the hillside known as “Sign Hill.”
It is home to the iconic Industrial City sign.
@AndriaKPIX @KPIXtv @KTVU @nbcbayarea @KGOdesk Sign Hill in South San Francisco...😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/0IJk6DFoFN
— David Albizo (@thedavidalbizo) October 16, 2020
Officers questioned two children, ages 14 and 16, from South San Francisco. The teens admitted to starting the fire and were released to relatives, police said.
Neighbors previously told KCBS Radio that two young boys were seen coming down the hillside around the time that the fire started.
One fire official estimated the blaze covered about 10 acres. Crews had the fire contained by about 2:30 p.m., but were working hard to extinguish it on a hot and dry day.
The Paradise Valley neighborhood was evacuated, including Carnelian Rd, Sonja Rd, Mountain Rd, Ridgeview Ct. and Viewmont Terr.
CAL FIRE crews quickly brought in a spotter plane, helicopters and other aircraft to help get the fire under control.
“There was three large fires – three separate fires, at least 200 yards apart,” said Keith Kelly, who was protecting his grandmother’s home with a garden hose. “So very, very interesting how it was so spread on this mountain.”
Fire officials are conducting a full investigation.
