Flames ripped through the top floor of a three-story building in Ocean Beach on May 11, heavily damaging two businesses and displacing four residents from their lower-floor apartments. The blaze began about 6:30 p.m. in street-level stores at 4320 Voltaire St., the home of Doyle Catering and Peace Pie Co. An employee of the catering firm said propane tanks are used there. Traffic in the area was congested as police blocked Voltaire Street for several hours while hundreds of onlookers followed the early plumes of heavy smoke and the sound of numerous wailing sirens to the scene. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Battalion Chief Dan Froelich said the damage was excessive, with a dollar amount to be determined later. A fire investigator was conducting interviews at the scene. A quick response from fire crews prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby bike shop, whose owner nervously stood by. Engine 15 from Ocean Beach was the first to arrive, followed by engine 22 from Point Loma, truck 20 from the Sports Arena station and others from as far away as Mission Hills and Pacific Beach. Froelich said a total of six engines, two trucks, two battalion chiefs, paramedics and the department shift commander responded to the alarm. Froelich said the American Red Cross had been called in to provide shelter for the displaced residents, whose apartments were damaged by smoke and water.