Saturday, December 3, 2016

Oakland Rave Fire - Largest Mass Casualty Incident since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.


Oakland Rave Fire Updates:

Update 12-5-16 0900 hrs: The meticulous search for bodies in the rubble of a devastating Fruitvale District warehouse fire neared its final stages Tuesday morning, and crews were hopeful that the current death toll of 36 would not rise.

Fire and recovery crews completed about 85 percent of their search by 6 a.m., and authorities said they’d begin combing through the final bit of debris after stabilizing a front corner of the building also known as the “Ghost Ship”. Officials suspended the search around 10:30 p.m. Monday to address that concern, then resumed their search around  2 a.m.

Update 12-4-16 2200 hrs: Death toll at 36, After working for 52 hours straight, rescuers had to halt their search late Sunday, said Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Melinda Drayton. There are areas of the structure where an exterior wall is leaning inward and interior walls and the roof have caved in. Other parts of the structure are hanging precariously, she said.Roughly 30% of the two-story building remains to be searched.

Update 12-4-16 1600 hrs:
Body count is 33 dead now.

Update 12-4-16 1300 hrs: Investigators asking families to supply DNA samples as the search for bodies continues in Oakland. 30 dead so far.

Update 12-4-16 1200 hrs: Authorities say 20% of the building has been searched. Kelly said names of the victims could be released in the next 24 hours.

Update 12-4-16 1000 hrs: The death toll has risen to 24 in the warehouse fire in Oakland, California. Officials say it could take days to search through the rubble.


Original headline

9 dead, 25 unaccounted for in three-alarm Oakland fire

The two-story warehouse structure fire was first reported Friday night at 11:30 p.m., on 31st Avenue and International Boulevard.

OAKLAND MCI RAVE FIRE
Photo: KTVU
 At least 9 people are confirmed dead and 25 others are unaccounted for in a three-alarm fire at a warehouse in Oakland during a party advertised as a ‘Rave Cave’ as part of musician Golden Donna’s ‘100% Silk’ West Coast tour.

Anywhere from 50-100 people were in the small building where a fire broke out at what some are calling a "rave".

The roof of the building collapsed down to the second floor.

There are still large portions of the building that has not been searched.

Fire officials say they do not believe the building had sprinklers.

OAKLAND MCI RAVE WAREHOUSE FIRE
Photo: RT
11:30 p.m
Fire first reported Friday night, There were about 50-people inside the building, according to firefighters. Fire officials say they do not believe the building had sprinklers.

8:30 a.m.

Fire is out
At least 9 people are confirmed dead and 25 others are unaccounted for in a three-alarm fire at a warehouse in Oakland where people were having a party.

Alameda County Sheriffs Office Sergeant J.D. Nelson says the building is not safe enough to enter. He also says the coroner's office is preparing for 40 or more bodies. No bodies have been removed from the building. Nelson says this is the largest mass casualty they have prepared for since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.


Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed says the cause is unknown and a task force will be assisting with the investigation.


  • The majority of victims were on the second floor.
  • The building likely did not have sprinklers, fire detectors.
  • The second floor likely had a makeshift stairwell made out of pallets.
  • The building was densely packed.

  • The party had a band and was scheduled to have performances at this venue from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. The event was a part of the "Golden Donna 100% Silk 2016 West Coast Tour".


    The building houses a group of artists and their studios, according to police.


    When the fire broke out, firefighters had to take a "defensive position", meaning they could not go inside the building until they made sure it would not spread further. 


    Police are asking anyone looking for missing persons associate with this fire to contact the Alameda County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau at 510-382-3000.

    10:00 a.m.
    Task Force assessing structural safety and preparing to enter the building for recovery 


    A list of those thought to be missing on the band's Facebook page can be found here.
    More info: http://www.ktvu.com/news/221282720-story

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