OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 3 (UPI) — At least nine people are dead and 13 are missing after a fire erupted at a dance party in warehouse space, officials said.
About 11 p.m. Friday, Oakland firefighters were called to the warehouse that serves as a live/work residence. Firefighters said the blaze quickly got out of control and became a three-alarm fire, indicating additional fire-fighting units were dispatched. Firefighters said there was no evidence of smoke detectors or a sprinkler system in the building.
The blaze took place at an event featuring musician Golden Donna’s 100% Silk West Coast tour and is being called the area’s deadliest single-structure fire.
“We still have to do a more thorough search of the building and we don’t know the potential number of other victims,” Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed said.
Firefighters said the number of dead and missing could continue to rise and are asking those looking for anyone associated with the dance party or the fire to contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau.
