Oakland "Nightclub" Fire
- Thread starterMNicolai
- Start date
Les
Well-Known Member
In looking through some pictures of the place, it appears to have been a total deathtrap. Do they not have fire inspections in Oakland? For a state as regulated as California, I'm taken aback.
Les
Well-Known Member
Me too. The only clue I've seen is this excerpt from the article linked above:
"We saw where the fire was. It was on the back left corner of the space," he said. "I started yelling and getting everyone out. It all happened really quick. The fire went up really, really, really quickly."
Mulé said he could see the flames clearly and that the blaze started inside the building.
"That was another person's studio so I don't know," he said. "Maybe there was something plugged in. It could be anything, but they weren't even home. I just know it was coming from their space."
JD
Well-Known Member
I suspect unless they find an eye witness that saw it start, we will never know. However, I think if they made it out, someone knows. Most likely an "Oh Sh**" moment followed by a rush to get out.
BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
Aside from the all of the combustible materials, the photos make this place look like a total labyrinth as-is. Add what must have been an incredible amount of smoke and the pallet staircase and it's no wonder people became trapped. Fair chance the lights were dim/off too because of the rave.
Couple updates about the venue. Sounds like it was zoned as a commercial warehouse and the building was already under investigation. Victims families and friends are sharing a Google Doc to try and find/identify loved ones:
Looks like there's also a Wikipedia article already up and refers to the investigation as pertaining to structural deficiencies. Also noted is that a fire dept. spokesperson indicated an event like this would've required a permit that GhostShip did not have.
Couple updates about the venue. Sounds like it was zoned as a commercial warehouse and the building was already under investigation. Victims families and friends are sharing a Google Doc to try and find/identify loved ones:
Looks like there's also a Wikipedia article already up and refers to the investigation as pertaining to structural deficiencies. Also noted is that a fire dept. spokesperson indicated an event like this would've required a permit that GhostShip did not have.
The more I read, the more upset I get.
Washington Post has an article on it today that listed a detail I haven't seen before.
Washington Post has an article on it today that listed a detail I haven't seen before.
The AP story also has some additional information:
https://apnews.com/5ed34c77513b4e3b...arehouse-fire-rises-to-24,-with-more-expected
The worst thing is that it's reported that there were RVs parked on the first floor for artists and that there were no utilities turned on, they stole water and electricity from neighbors, with extension cords snaking all over.
https://apnews.com/5ed34c77513b4e3b...arehouse-fire-rises-to-24,-with-more-expected
The worst thing is that it's reported that there were RVs parked on the first floor for artists and that there were no utilities turned on, they stole water and electricity from neighbors, with extension cords snaking all over.
Its an old school artist colony. This type of thing used to be all over NYC before everything got gentrified. Some of them still exist up my way. This is where the original Burning Man set lives the other 330 days a year. All the firecodes in the world won't stop this kind of thing from happening.
BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
No doubt the actions of the artists in the warehouse will adversely impact artists that are not so irresponsible and thoughtless. Not much different than the current demonizing of all law enforcement officers resulting in a substantial increase fatalities in the same neighborhoods where the complaints come from. And of course those few in both cases will blame government, rather than the individuals responsible.
Confirmed death toll is up to 33. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...house-fire-was-jammed-with-flammable-objects/
My wife's best friend and his husband live in the area and are long time "burners" and very involved with the party underwood in the Bay Area. One of their friends apparently knows a significant number of people who are missing. Truly tragic.
Monday morning update:
Currently 36 dead but they have only searched about 40% of the building. Searching on hold while they shore up walls for firefighters safety. The DA is looking into criminal charges.
A survivor interviewed: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/12/04/one-survivor-recounts-escape-from-oakland-warehouse-fire/
Currently 36 dead but they have only searched about 40% of the building. Searching on hold while they shore up walls for firefighters safety. The DA is looking into criminal charges.
A survivor interviewed: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/12/04/one-survivor-recounts-escape-from-oakland-warehouse-fire/
The AP article I read earlier interviewed a different survivor who said he jumped from the balcony to get out.
Sounds like no one is going to have much sympathy for the owners. Same article described a messy custody fight between Derick Ion and social services over his kids after they were found to all have lice. Meanwhile, one of the comments from someone on his Facebook page blames this tragedy on capital fundamentalism for pushing artists out of the city and into these conditions.
Sounds like no one is going to have much sympathy for the owners. Same article described a messy custody fight between Derick Ion and social services over his kids after they were found to all have lice. Meanwhile, one of the comments from someone on his Facebook page blames this tragedy on capital fundamentalism for pushing artists out of the city and into these conditions.
