Suspect Arrested in Deadly House Fire and Explosion in San Francisco’s Sunset District
On Friday, San Francisco police announced the arrest of 53-year-old Darron Price in connection with a deadly house fire and explosion that occurred in the city’s Sunset District on Thursday.[0] Price was arrested at 4:30 p.m. on the unit block of Newhall Street and was booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, manufacturing narcotics, and two counts of child endangerment.[0]
The explosion and subsequent fire claimed the life of a disabled woman living in the home and seriously injured her caregiver.[1] Three homes were damaged by the blast and eight cars were also damaged, according to authorities.[2] At first, the 1700 block of 22nd Avenue was ordered to evacuate, but the order, as well as the shelter-in-place order for properties close by, were lifted afterwards.[3]
Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson called the explosion “really, really powerful” and said it completely took the home off its foundation.[4] Witnesses reported hearing an explosion, and video from the scene showed firefighters battling the blaze and seemed to indicate that at least one home had been partially destroyed.[5]
Investigators determined that an active illegal narcotics manufacturing lab was in the home during the incident.[1] The origin of the fire and explosion is being looked into.[6] The San Francisco Police Department has a 24-hour Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 and individuals with pertinent information are encouraged to call. Additionally, people can Text a Tip to TIP411 with the message beginning with SFPD.[7]
The condition of the caregiver who was injured and remains in the hospital with burn wounds is unknown.[8] The investigation into the case is still ongoing.[7]
0. “Man arrested in connection with fatal Sunset District fire” San Francisco Examiner, 11 Feb. 2023, https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/crime/man-arrested-in-connection-with-fatal-sunset-district-fire/article_ea3d6e76-aa59-11ed-89ba-9396cac363ba.html
1. “Video captures moment San Francisco house exploded” The Independent, 12 Feb. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sunset-district-explosion-san-francisco-b2280860.html
2. “Home drug lab suspected in San Francisco explosion that killed one, injured two – WEIS | Local & Area News, Sports …” weisradio.com, 12 Feb. 2023, https://weisradio.com/2023/02/12/home-drug-lab-suspected-in-san-francisco-explosion-that-killed-one-injured-two
3. “1 dead, 2 injured in 3-alarm San Francisco fire” UPI News, 10 Feb. 2023, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/02/10/fatal-San-Francisco-3-alarm-fire/2041676014719/
4. “San Francisco explosion knocks Outer Sunset home off foundation, 1 injured, fire officials say” WTVD-TV, 9 Feb. 2023, https://abc11.com/san-francisco-gas-explosion-house-sunset-in-today/12792134/
5. “1 dead, 2 injured after fire, explosion at SF home” KRON4, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/sf-firefighters-responding-to-fire-and-possible-explosion-on-22nd-avenue-in-sunset/
6. “2 injured in 3-alarm fire in San Francisco, 3 homes impacted” KMAland, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.kmaland.com/news/national_news/2-injured-in-3-alarm-fire-in-san-francisco-3-homes-impacted/article_bd536257-7cf6-526c-941e-ebd5245d959b.html
7. “UPDATE: Suspect arrested in deadly explosion at San Francisco home; Evidence shows drug lab” CBS San Francisco, 11 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/arrest-deadly-explosion-san-francisco-home-sunset-district/
8. “House explodes and erupts into flames in massive blast killing one captured on CCTV” The Mirror, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/house-explodes-erupts-flames-massive-29207507
