All 36 people killed in Oakland warehouse fire died of smoke inhalation, investigators say

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Emergency crews work in front of the site of a warehouse fire, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Oakland fire deputy chief Darren White, left, speaks next to Oakland Police officer Johnna Watson at a news conference near the site of a warehouse fire in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2016.

(Jeff Chiu / AP)

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Oakland Fire Department Operations Chief Mark Hoffman, center, speaks at a news conference near the site of a warehouse fire in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2016.

(Jeff Chiu / AP)

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Emergency crew workers watch as a vehicle picks up debris at the site of a warehouse fire in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2016.

(Jeff Chiu / AP)

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Alameda County Sheriff J.D. Nelson holds an aerial picture of a warehouse fire near the site on Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Relatives of Travis Hough, including cousin Jessica McDonald, second form right, and her partner Gero Zimmermann, at left, hold candles during a vigil in memory of victims of a warehouse fire at Lake Merritt on Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Mourners embrace near the site of a warehouse fire on Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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A note with flowers hangs on a fence near the site of a warehouse fire on Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Signs and flowers adorn a fence near the site of a warehouse fire on Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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This Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 photo shows the side of the building where there was a warehouse fire Friday, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Robert Lewis, right, and his daughter Sophie walk past a makeshift memorial in memory of victims of a warehouse fire near the site on Dec. 5, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Mourners embrace near the site of a warehouse fire Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Sol Rodriguez, center, and Aaron Torres visit a memorial for the victims of a warehouse fire Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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A crowd gathers around flowers, notes and candles left at the scene of a deadly warehouse fire in Oakland, California.

(John G. Mabanglo / EPA)

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People place flowers and notes at a makeshift memorial on December 4, 2016 in Oakland, California near the site of a devastating fire that tore through a warehouse.

(Nick Otto / AFP/Getty Images)

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Firemen stand near a warehouse after it was destroyed by a fire Dec. 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Nick Otto / AFP/Getty Images)

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Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, center, Oakland City Councilman Larry Reid, right, and Oakland Fire Department Chaplain the Rev. Jayson Landeza walk together past the scene of a warehouse fire in Oakland, Calif.

(John G. Mabanglo / EPA)

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Oakland residents join the community, friends and family at the Chapel of the Chimes to reflect and meditate for the victims of a fire at a warehouse, in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 3, 2016.

(John G. Mabanglo / EPA)

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Debris litters the inside of a warehouse where a fire killed 36 people during a club-style party. (David Butow / For The Times)

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Firefighters work at the aftermath of a warehouse fire as smoke continues to rise from the structure in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Calif.

(John G. Mabanglo / EPA)

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Emergency crews perform clean-up in the aftermath of a warehouse fire Dec. 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

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Flowers bearing the message “you are my family” are placed near the scene following an overnight fire at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on Dec. 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images)

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A fireman is seen on the roof of a warehouse after it was destroyed by a fire Dec. 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.

(Nick Otto / AFP/Getty Images)

By Dakota Smith

March 4, 2017 12:46 PM PT

Los Angeles Times

Smoke inhalation killed all 36 people who perished in a December fire at an Oakland warehouse, according to investigators.

The causes of death were confirmed Saturday by the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau.

The Dec. 2 blaze broke out during a concert, trapping scores of people. The warehouse — known as the Ghost Ship — had an internal maze of structures, according to firefighters and former tenants, making it difficult for patrons to escape the quickly moving fire.

The victims ranged in age from 17 to 61.

Despite mounting evidence that the warehouse had been converted into an illegal residence and music venue, the city of Oakland never moved to shut it down, records show.

The city had received several complaints that conditions inside the warehouse were unsafe, including reports of piles of trash and faulty electrical wiring.

The Alameda County district attorney’s office has opened a criminal investigation into the fire.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the causes of death, which were determined in December.