Oakland Warehouse Fire Causes At Least 9 Deaths
Credit: ABC7 News Bay Area/KGO-tv
At approximately 11:30pm Friday evening, a massive fire broke out during a warehouse music party inside an artists’ studio in Oakland, California. Locals know the studio as the “Ghost Ship.” For those familiar with the geography of Oakland, Ghost Ship is located in the Fruitvale neighborhood.
Over 200 guests were slated to attend, according to accepted invitations on the Facebook event page. Several musicians and DJs hosted the Oakland event – a segment of a nationwide tour – titled, “Golden Donna 100% Silk 2016 West Coast Tour.”
Credit: ABC7 News Bay Area/Twitter
Officials indicate they are preparing for an increase in the death toll, which remains at 9 (5pm PST) according to Sergeant Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. However, with more than two-dozen party goers still unaccounted for, family and friends with specific questions about a missing person, are encouraged by the Oakland Police Department, to contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau at 510-382-3000.
Due to dangers with structural integrity caused by hot spots from the fire, firefighters were limited in their ability to enter the building for several hours in the middle of the day. Oakland Police will hold a press conference on Sunday morning to update the public on ongoing efforts throughout the night.
