Explosion in downtown SF 9:56am PST August 19th, 2005

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

???

Schwab building

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 15:59 (twenty years ago)

I hear sirens now

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

Is that why I hear those sirens?

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

xp!!!!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

Loud explosion followed by smoke and shaking

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:00 (twenty years ago)

no news about it elsewhere, I'm not about to say anything at work

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

!!!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

holy shit, take care fellas.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

OK, a LOT of fucking sirens now.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

"Loud explosion, then building shook and buckled."

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

Nothing on CNN.com yet...

― pappawheelie II, Friday, 19 August 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

The one on Montgomery St?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

Where are you reading this, g?

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

MONTGOMERY ST?

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

It happened like 10 minutes ago, what is CNN.com waiting for?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:05 (twenty years ago)

I got a call from someone who works nearby.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

i hate these threads. good thoughts, sf.

― mark p (Mark P), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

Not on NPR top of the hour news either

― Draw Tipsy, ya hack. (dave225.3), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

My co-worker is putting on the radio.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:07 (twenty years ago)

Ok, it was in the Crocker Galleria. I walk through there every day!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

I THINK everything is okay but I'm not sure.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

Still a lot of sirens.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

The Live View from the Transamerica is down, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

According to KGO it might be PG&E related.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

HaHa!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

"Electrical Overload" - heard that once before.

― Draw Tipsy, ya hack. (dave225.3), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

"If you work around Post and Montgomery, you probably just heard an explosion around Crocker Galleria. I can see from my windows police has surrounded the whole area and evacuted the building next to it..."

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:11 (twenty years ago)

: (

― geoff (gcannon), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:11 (twenty years ago)

CNN.com headline: "The sky just exploded". About tornadoes in Wisconsin.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:11 (twenty years ago)

CNN.com headline: "The sky just exploded". About tornadoes in Wisconsin.

That threw me, too. Weird.

― Confounded (Confounded), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:13 (twenty years ago)

apparently they are doing tons of work on the streets around there, someone probably threw a lit butt down a gas main

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

I just can't see Al Qaida targeting the Crocker Galleria, but I guess you never know.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/baycitynews/archive/2005/08/19/explosion19.DTL

San Francisco -- The San Francisco Fire Department is sending crews over to a report of a blown-up manhole cover, a fire department dispatcher said.

The incident happened on Post and Kearny in front of the Ralph Lauren clothing store near the Crocker Galleria shopping center, the dispatcher said.

No other information is known at this time.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:15 (twenty years ago)

Ah, Ralph Lauren.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

I just can't see Al Qaida targeting the Crocker Galleria, but I guess you never know.

THIS SUSHI IS TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

"We will crush your puny roof-top park with a nice view of the Palomar Hotel and the room where Harding died!! THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEAR US, YOU HEATHENS!"

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

WHAT A TERRIBLE SHOESHINE!!!!!!!!!!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

http://www.lwn-photo.com/images/PanoLg/GalraRfTpLg.mov

― pappawheelie II, Friday, 19 August 2005 16:18 (twenty years ago)

Ha! You can see my building in that picture!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:19 (twenty years ago)

I can't view it :(

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

You've seen that view a MILLION times probably (it's not live)!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:21 (twenty years ago)

try directly:

http://www.inetours.com/Pages/SFLndmrkVws/CrkrGalria.html

― pappawheelie II, Friday, 19 August 2005 16:21 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah. I love that rooftop garden. Have you ever eaten up there, Adam?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:23 (twenty years ago)

Yes!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

Haha, it always circles back to food (or in my friend's case, taking the rest of the day off and going to the bar).

I think everything's cool, just a bit of sewer explosion, let's all be cool.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

OKAY MR ALARMIST I WILL CALM DOWN NOW AND GET OUT FROM UNDER MY DESK

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:28 (twenty years ago)

The only article I can read on SFGate tells me that Robin Williams is considering running as governor.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

I ate at Axum yesterday. It was excellent as always.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

This kid who works at my office is delighted because he had a dermatologist appointment on Market and now he doesn't have to pay his no-show fee!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:29 (twenty years ago)

I can't believe our little tornado is the CNN top story.

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:30 (twenty years ago)

Axum, isn't that...ETHIOPIAN?

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

THE SKY EXPLODED, Jordan. That's pretty big news.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

IT IS!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

They fixed it, though.

― Jordan (Jordan), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

Mystery Explosion Strikes Downtown San Francisco
Save It Email It Print It

(CBS5) SAN FRANCISCO An explosion struck in downtown San Francisco mid-morning Friday at the intersection of Post and Kearny shortly before 10 a.m.

The source of the explosion is not known at this time but a structure is on fire and one person is reported to have been injured.

San Francisco police report the evacuation of several buildings in the area, including the Crocker Galleria. Foot and car traffic has been cleared from the area.

One occupant of the Crocker Galleria building, whose office is on the 8th floor, said that he felt the explosion's impact but sensed it was not an earthquake.

Portions of Sutter, Montgomery, Kearny and Post streets have been closed while investigators proceed through the area.

The Ralph Lauren store at 90 Post Street was damaged. Reportedly, the store's awning was engulfed in flames.

The explosion reportedly dislodged a manhole cover and buckled a section of sidewalk. There is broken glass strewn on the sidewalk.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

Oh no, the Ralph Lauren awning! I hope they have a spare.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:36 (twenty years ago)

Looking at a report about this and saw this excellent picture!
http://www.instantextranets.com/kcbs/public/Misc/Banner/113.JPG

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:37 (twenty years ago)

I know that feeling

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Spencer you realize that is a toll plaza right?

The 405/10 interchange is like that 6 hours a day for no reason!

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 16:42 (twenty years ago)

gygax are you joking? Sometimes I initially miss your jokes (but that one the other day was a doozey!)

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:05 (twenty years ago)

Or rather, yes, that's why I selected that picture, because I sat in that toll plaza every day for two years.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:05 (twenty years ago)

Nevermind, just a mild misunderstanding (ie, "OMG traffic at a toll plaza" vs. "this picture reminds me of my daily ritual back in the day").

But Fast-Trak is a godsend (as is carpooling, not commuting during rush hour, etc.)

Peace, love and hot snuggles.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:16 (twenty years ago)

Oh, I actually just liked the picture. Not trying to make any claims about traffic here vs. traffic there etc.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:18 (twenty years ago)

I used to commute past the 405/10 interchange almost everyday so please be understanding of my sensitivity. I am scarred.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:20 (twenty years ago)

Dude, surface streets.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:21 (twenty years ago)

I can't get sarah to get Fast Trak!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:22 (twenty years ago)

i never used fast-track until last month, what in the world was I thinking (okay I know what I was thinking, it was "I never have any money in my bank account and don't want $40 refill charges coming it at random times" but now that I actually don't have a negative balance all the time, it's great)?

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 17:22 (twenty years ago)

I was just down at "the scene". Nothing to see, it's all cordoned off and there are a lot of tv cameras. The 12 Galaxies guy was there doing his thing so I took some pictures of him.

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 18:09 (twenty years ago)

I can't get sarah to get Fast Trak!

-- Adam In Real Life (

it seriously saves me so much time I can't believe I didn't get this when I had to drive over the bridge every day.

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

different bridge though

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 18:43 (twenty years ago)

still

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 18:45 (twenty years ago)

yeah

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 18:53 (twenty years ago)

http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/08/20/mn_blastsf_rody.jpg

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:21 (twenty years ago)

the cop looks like he's holding an imaginary person hostage with an imaginary gun

― The Ghost of Dean Gulberry (dr g), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:28 (twenty years ago)

I didn't hear shit, but we were notified of this at work around 11am. I work next to the Transamarica Pyramid. I dunno, from what I can gather this looks like some PG&E fuckup.

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:33 (twenty years ago)

xpost

He found the WMD.

― M. V. (M.V.), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:38 (twenty years ago)

Four hours late Shakey, but thanks.

― The Ghost of Dean Gulberry (dr g), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:39 (twenty years ago)

As far as I can tell, there was an explosion. Ralph Lauren possibly involved.

― The Ghost of Dean Gulberry (dr g), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:39 (twenty years ago)

hey man, I was busy this morning!

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:40 (twenty years ago)

blowing shit up?

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:42 (twenty years ago)

http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2005/08/20/mn_pgevaultillo.gif

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:44 (twenty years ago)

I scored a bunch of polo shirts.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:45 (twenty years ago)

haha!

― Adam In Real Life (nordicskilla), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:46 (twenty years ago)

FastTrak is so awesome.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 19 August 2005 20:48 (twenty years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.