LOCAL CALIFORNIA

At least nine people died when a fire raced through an Oakland warehouse crowded with people attending a Friday night concert, officials said. But officials said they are preparing for up to 40 fatalities,

Oakland fire officials said that there were other people still unaccounted for and that a search of the building was continuing.

See dramatic photos from the scene

Site of deadly Oakland fire is known as the GhostShip

At 10 a.m. Saturday, firefighters were dismantling one of the doors to the blackened building, which was covered with graffiti and had the word “GhostShip” painted outside. Sidewalks in front of the building were strewn with couches, window frames and other debris, and a charred smell permeated the air.

Witnesses said the warehouse was a collective where artists lived and worked.

The building was the site of a concert Friday night called the Golden Donna 100% Silk 2016 West Coast Tour, according to a concert Facebook page.

Through the early-morning hours, people used the page to seek information about friends and loved ones who attended the concert. Some listed the names of missing people and posted their photos, hoping to learn their fates.

"Making a new post with the names we currently have missing at the Sheriff's office. PLEASE comment if you know 100% if any of these people are safe,” one person wrote.

“The police have asked for missing people’s photos and identifying features. Piercings, tattoos, clothing they were wearing, weight, birthday, hair color etc. they asked to post on this Facebook event. Please post info here,” wrote another.

 

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