33 Bodies Recovered in Oakland Warehouse Fire; Search Continues

[RandySF]

Searchers have recovered 33 bodies from a fire-ravaged warehouse in Oakland, California, that housed artist studios and was hosting a dance party when the deadly blaze broke out, officials said today.

Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office warned that he anticipates that "the number of victims will rise" from a fire officials say may be the deadliest ever in Oakland. The search effort is expected to last for days, he said.

Kelly called the 30 deaths "astronomical."

Authorities are also asking families with missing loved ones to preserve DNA samples as a way of confirming the identities of those who died in the horrific blaze.

The District Attorney's Office has criminal investigation teams actively looking at the fire with the other law enforcement agencies involved in investigating the fire, according to a statement from the City of Oakland.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told ABC News that she has ordered an investigation into the building's troubled history, including a complete review of all records of complaints. Libby also told ABC that she ordered an independent analysis into the city’s handling of this building and others like it.

The Oakland Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at the warehouse known as the "Ghost Ship" on 31st Avenue at around 11:32 p.m. on Friday night. Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said Ghost Ship appeared to function as a residential building that hosted a makeshift artists' studio, as well as parties like the one that took place on Friday night.


http://abcnews.go.com/US/24-bodies-recovered-oakland-warehouse-fire-search-20/story?id=43964350

[Puha Ekapi_2]

1. Here's the asshole...

...who was renting it out. Shitbag couldn't even say a word about the victims.

https://www.facebook.com/derick.ion.9

[Separation]

2. I could have sworn

That this warehouse was the subject of another thread here on DU. The original story was about a warehouse where people were living in it in trailers. This story was carried by MSN news. Its pretty suspicious that this is in the news and a few days later it burns to the ground. I would definitely be looking into the arson side of this.

[RandySF]

3. It was full of illegal electrical hookups

[nitpicker]

4. Oakland fire: Criminal investigation opens into deadly blaze

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38206351


Oakland fire: Criminal investigation opens into deadly blaze

23 minutes ago

From the section US & Canada


A criminal investigation has opened into a fire that killed at least 33 people at a warehouse party in Oakland, California. The local district attorney has activated a team with the premises already under inquiry over possible building code violations. The warehouse had no sprinklers and one ex-resident called it a "death trap".

Fire crews are still working at the scene and have warned that the number of fatalities is likely to rise. It is thought between 50-100 people were inside the venue when the fire broke out late on Friday. The blaze caused the roof to collapse on to the second floor, part of which then fell through to the ground floor. Its cause is not known.

The opening of a criminal investigation allows authorities to preserve evidence and see if there was any criminal responsibility, whether through arson or negligence.
(snip)