Four-alarm fire destroys San Francisco Indian Center

KPIX-TV news footage from October 28, 1969 with reporter Pat O'Brien featuring brief views from a four-alarm fire incident at 16th and Hoff, which destroyed the San Francisco Indian Center and other business premises on the block. The fire broke out at around 5:00am, apparently started by an explosion in Stanley's Radio and TV Service and was under control by 6:15am. There were no injuries caused by the fire, although three Native American men sleeping in the Indian Center's recreation hall had to be rescued. They were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper as being Victor White Eagle, Donald Rodriguez and Raymond Franklin, Jr. Note that the loss of this community center was one of the reasons cited by Mohawk activist Richard Oakes for initiating the occupation of Alcatraz, which began in November. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

This 16mm color reversal film print was scanned in 4K (4096 x 2970) using a Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in October 2023.