The search for bodies continues in the burnt out ruins of an Oakland warehouse. Investigators are still uncertain what started the blaze.
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The number of bodies recovered from the burnt out ruins of a converted warehouse in Oakland California has risen to 33. The authorities are expecting that figure to rise with many more people reported missing.
It is thought between 50 and 100 were inside the venue when the fire started late on Friday night during a dance party.
The old warehouse, known as the Ghost Ship, was hosting a concert by electronic group Golden Donna and six other acts.
With many victims burned beyond recognition, family members were asked to preserve items that might contain DNA of the victims to help with identification.
It is unclear what caused the blaze but the building’s safety record is under close scrutiny. There were no sprinklers and the only exit from the second floor was a makeshift stairwell.
Fire crews called to the scene on Friday worked all through the night. The warehouse, which housed artists in improvised studios, was packed with furniture, and other objects, obstructing efforts to put out the blaze.
The search for bodies is expected to continue for at least another 48 hours.
This is what the Oakland warehouse Ghost Ship looks like before and after the fire that claimed dozens of lives https://t.co/ajTuSizQ9q pic.twitter.com/PkAWomWClD
— CNN (@CNN) December 5, 2016
A candlelight vigil will be held Monday evening at Lake Merritt for the victims of the Oakland Ghost Ship fire https://t.co/bliCBKT2TA
— DoTheBay (@DoTheBay) December 4, 2016