Fire commission honors teachers, community members for rescues at 10 Inka Lane fire

The San Francisco Fire Commission on Tuesday presented certificates of appreciation to teachers and community members who helped evacuate residents during a May 13, 2022, fire at 10 Inka Lane.

Deputy Chief Robert Postel described the blaze as "very far advanced" when crews arrived and credited the teachers for notifying residents and assisting evacuations before firefighters entered. "Without their action and intervention at this incident, I think the results would have been much different," Postel said.

Assistant Chief Ken Yee, the incident commander that day, said all three floors of the building were "fully involved" and crews faced access problems because the building sits at the end of a dead-end alley. He said Engine 5 and other companies, some short-staffed that day, made multiple rescues; "we made seven rescues from this building," Yee said, and there was no loss of life.

The commission presented certificates to Ruben Guzman and Zachary Marlin and to teachers Cecily (Ina) Lee, Remy Nakamoto and Vincent Reyes in recognition of their efforts. "As a teacher, our first instinct is to protect our kids and... help any way that we could," Nakamoto said. Vincent Reyes thanked the commission and his colleagues and acknowledged support from family and SFUSD staff.

Chief of Department Janine Nicholson said the department is "incredibly proud" of both firefighters and the teachers who aided rescues. The commission asked recipients for brief remarks and allowed a photograph opportunity.

The presentation also included a reading of a local Japanese community newspaper account of the incident and a short video recorded by department staff that the presenters said documented the intensity of the fire and the rescues.

The commission did not take further action on the incident during the meeting; the department said the fire remains under investigation by the fire investigation task force as of May 23, 2022.