Massive Fire Erupts at Seneca Hotel in San Francisco's SoMa

Firefighters evacuate residents as blaze rips through long-standing supportive housing building

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A large fire broke out at the Seneca Hotel, a single-room-occupancy building that provides permanent supportive housing in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood. Firefighters responded to the scene and evacuated residents as they worked to contain the blaze, but details on injuries or the cause of the fire have not yet been released.

Why it matters

Fires at SRO hotels like the Seneca are particularly disruptive, as they house many vulnerable residents who rely on the supportive services provided. The Seneca has seen previous fire-related incidents, highlighting ongoing challenges with staffing and maintenance at some of these properties.

The details

The fire was first reported on the 40 block of Sixth Street, with the San Francisco Fire Department confirming the Seneca Hotel was on fire. Firefighters worked to knock down the flames, though no details on injuries or the cause have been provided yet. The Seneca is a long-standing SRO building with around 195-200 units, playing a key role in the city's supportive housing network.

  • The fire was first reported on March 5, 2026.

The players

San Francisco Fire Department

The city's fire department that responded to the blaze at the Seneca Hotel.

Seneca Hotel

A single-room-occupancy building in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood that provides permanent supportive housing.

Tenderloin Housing Clinic

An organization that provides information on the Seneca Hotel's role as part of the city's supportive housing network.

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What’s next

The San Francisco Fire Department and other city agencies are expected to release more details on the fire and its impact as the investigation progresses.

The takeaway

Fires at SRO hotels like the Seneca Hotel can be highly disruptive, as they house many vulnerable residents who rely on the supportive services provided. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges with staffing and maintenance at some of these properties in San Francisco.