Dog dies in SF Noe Valley house fire, crews searching for missing tenant: SFFD

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Two dogs died in a San Francisco house fire in Noe Valley Monday morning, SFFD says.

The fire was at a home on 26th Street near Castro setback from the street and officials say the building that was fully engulfed is a total loss.

Fire officials say “hoarding” conditions were making it difficult for firefighters. Video posted by SFFD shows lots of stuff in the yard.

“A lot of items were throughout the house, en route to the door, blocking doorways, which makes it difficult for us to enter the building and do our search for victims,” SFFD Lt. Mariano Elias said.

One person was inside the home when the fire broke out and able to evacuate and two other people that live in the house were not there.

A total of three people have been displaced and one person that was visiting and initially unaccounted for was found to have left the area before crews arrived.

Pitchaw Thongkom lives in the house but was gone when the fire broke out before 5:30 a.m. He was devastated over the loss of his dogs.

“My husband passed way two years ago so they’re the only things left from my husband, and they’re gone,” Thongkom said.

His friend also lives there and told ABC7 he was inside sleeping when he smelled the smoke and was able to get out unhurt. A third person who lives in the home was not there when the fire broke out.

SFFD says the arson task force is investigating the cause of the fire, but that does not necessarily indicate arson.

Power was also knocked out on the block for a period of time Monday morning, but PG&E responded and it has since been restored.

Stay with ABC7 News for updates on this developing story.