‘I felt my skin peeling’: 9 people die in California warehouse rave fire
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Oakland, California today following the news that nine people have died in a fire, in a warehouse rave.
The converted warehouse – known as the Ghost Ship – was playing host to a number of bands on Friday night, when a fire broke out and trapped dozens of people inside the building.
While local police have confirmed that nine people died in the tragedy, it is believed that the death toll could rise.
31st- pic.twitter.com/8TX6jk0iYq
— Oakland Firefighters (@OaklandFireLive) December 3, 2016
Local fire chief Teresa Deloche-Reed addressed the media after the blaze had been brought under control. She confirmed that the fire started at around 11:30pm, with about 100 people inside.
Safety concerns had been raised on numerous occasions regarding the Ghost Ship, and Deloche-Reed confirmed that the building had no sprinkler system; there also didn’t appear to be any fire alarms.
To make things even worse, furniture being stored in the warehouse apparently blocked firefighters’ way into the building, which was described by one person as a ‘maze’.
A moment of silence for the victims of the #OaklandFire. pic.twitter.com/Tatto5fQTI
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) December 4, 2016
Officials hold press conference after warehouse fire in Oakland, California. Watch live: https://t.co/NEnwwrikSI https://t.co/2WmMgnZ6EW
— CNN (@CNN) December 3, 2016
Many revellers were left stuck on the second floor of the building too, as their only means of exit was a staircase made of wooden pallets.
One photographer who escaped the blaze told local media: “I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldn’t get the fire extinguisher to work.”
An investigation into the fire has now been launched.
We’re thinking of all those affected by Friday’s tragedy.
