SAN FRANCISCO—The Middle Eastern restaurant, Old Jerusalem, which has been in business for 15 years was severely damaged and burned due to illegal firework activity on the Fourth of July. Old Jerusalem is popular for its cuisine. The San Francisco Fire Department reported that they responded to the fire at around 2:20 p.m., located at 2966 Mission St.
San Francisco Fire Department Spokesperson Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter told ABC 7 Bay Area that “multiple bystanders…observed and heard fireworks just moments before they observed smoke and flames on the roof.”
Baxter reported that all the workers at the restaurant managed to escape safely, but that the restaurant will be closed for a while to assess and repair any damage. Old Jerusalem set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to repair damages sustained.
After numerous reports of illegal firework activity across the Bay Area for the past few weeks, the San Francisco Fire Department continued to implore the public to avoid using fireworks, and to also be aware of potential risk of fire on private properties.
On Monday, July 6, the SFFD tweeted: “Several areas of San Francisco are at moderate risk of wildfires. If you live nearby make sure brush is clear from your yard and that you have a well established escape and evacuation plan.”
The fire was contained and extinguished before 3 p.m., but sustained some damage due to burns. There were no injuries reported, and no suspects or exact cause of the fire has been reported.
