A ruptured gas line started a fire this morning at the Safeway near Blackhawk, which caused the store to be closed for four-and-a-half hours.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District responded to a commercial structure fire at the Safeway located at 3496 Camino Tassajara Road in Danville. Crews arrived on scene at 11:47 a.m.

Crews from Station 35 arrived to find the fire extinguished by a Safeway employee, and the store evacuated. An employee notified fire crews that a forklift had ruptured a gas line, causing a fire to start in the rear of the store. The fire activated the automatic fire sprinkler system, which also helped to extinguish the fire.

A total of three engines, two trucks, one paramedic ambulance, a battalion chief, and a fire investigator responded to the scene. Crews remained to secure the utilities and to ensure the fire was completely out.

The store was closed for four-and-a-half hours and sustained an estimated total loss of $71,000.

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District reminds residents that if they are in a public place and a fire alarm sounds, to remain calm, evacuate the building, and do not re-enter until instructed to do so by fire personnel.

— Dolores Fox Ciardelli

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