Fire commission reviews three-alarm Julian Avenue blaze and response challenges after Waymo vehicle obstructed access

Deputy Chief Darius Lutrop described a March third-alarm fire in the Julian Avenue area that required rapid shifts in response after initial dispatch reported multiple locations. Lutrop said companies were redirected, commanders established unified incident control and crews made multiple rescues; two people were transported with smoke inhalation.

Lutrop attributed complicating factors to address ambiguity in reported locations and obstructions near Fifteenth and Weese that slowed initial access. “They were able to get around the vehicle,” Lutrop said, describing how crews dismounted and changed approach paths: “the company officer made a very good radio communication that said, don't approach on Fifteenth, approach on Sixteenth.” He added that hydrant scarcity in the neighborhood required companies to use every available hose resource to establish and maintain steady water supply.

Commissioners probed how an autonomous Waymo vehicle factored into the response. Commissioner Paula Collins asked whether Waymo was engaged immediately; Lutrop said crews rerouted and the vehicle had entered a safe mode. “They have given us the ability to take over control of the vehicle, but that would require somebody who's supposed to be fighting fire to get out, make communications, take control, drive it away,” he said, adding that such an approach is not operationally acceptable as a regular solution.

Lutrop and commissioners emphasized coordination gaps with autonomous-vehicle operators and regulators. Lutrop said the industry’s reporting requirements are narrowly focused on collisions and that there is no straightforward way under current California vehicle code to issue a citation to a driverless vehicle rather than a driver. Commissioners encouraged pursuing state-level changes and noted the Public Utilities Commission and DMV retain licensure and permitting authority.

The chief of operations also highlighted tactical lessons: hoarding in portions of the building hampered interior searches, the department reemphasized overhaul and decontamination protocols to reduce PFAS and contaminant exposure, and command adjustments prevented opposing hose-line operations. Lutrop said the cause remains under investigation.

The commission did not take further action on the incident during the meeting; Lutrop said the department will discuss the Waymo obstruction with the company and is providing input to pending state legislation on autonomous vehicles.