Oakland officials fear up to 40 dead in warehouse party fire
By Kristine Guerra December 3 at 1:51 PM
California officials fear up to 40 people have been killed in a massive fire that happened Friday night during a concert inside a building in Oakland.
Nine people have been confirmed dead and 25 others remain missing. Sgt. Ray Kelly, spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters during a press conference Saturday that officials are “prepared to deal with up to 30 to 40 deceased people.”
The three-alarm fire was reported at about 11:30 p.m. Friday at a building off 31st Avenue and International Boulevard, about three miles outside of downtown Oakland, according to the Oakland Police Department.
The fire broke out during a party featuring musician Golden Donna’s 100% Silk West Coast Tour. Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed told The Washington Post that more 50 people were inside the building, a warehouse that’s been turned into multi-purpose venue for artist exhibits and parties.
“This is pretty tragic for us,” Deloach-Reed said. “It is hitting this community pretty hard. I don’t even want to talk about how the families and friends are feeling. We have a community that’s hurting.”
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/12/03/oakland-concert-fire-leaves-at-least-9-dead-dozens-missing/?utm_term=.ec840da7863f&wpisrc=al_alert-national