The Latest: Mayor: City will review smoke-alarm regulations


10 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the Oakland warehouse fire (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf says the city will look to strengthen regulations for smoke alarms and exits and clarify city employees' responsibilities to monitor unsafe structures in the wake of a warehouse fire that killed 36 people.

Schaaf said Wednesday she will engage the arts community in the process to ensure any changes don't jeopardize their access to affordable housing and work space.

The fire broke out during a dance party Friday night at a warehouse that had been converted to artists' studios and illegal living spaces.

City and state officials fielded complaints for years about dangerous conditions, drugs, neglected children, trash, thefts and squabbles at the warehouse, raising questions about why it wasn't shut down.

___

4 p.m.

Los Angeles authorities are planning a crackdown on illegal housing in the wake of the Oakland warehouse fire that killed 36 people.

City Attorney Mike Feuer told the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/2h7NIpN) that he will meet next week with the fire chief and the head of the building and safety department to discuss what Feuer calls an aggressive response to illegal apartment and loft conversions in commercial buildings.

The Oakland warehouse housed artists' studios and had illegal living spaces.

On Monday, the Los Angeles city attorney's office filed misdemeanor charges against the owner of a building accused of having illegal residences.

Feuer says Los Angeles also needs to deal with a housing shortage that has made it harder than ever to find affordable places to live.

___

2:05 p.m.

The Golden State Warriors players and coaches have pledged $75,000 to help with relief efforts from a deadly warehouse fire not far from their home arena.

Separately, the franchise already donated $50,000 to the Oakland Fire Relief fund. The team made the announcement Wednesday before playing a rivalry game at the Los Angeles Clippers.

Draymond Green said the team is devastated by "this tragedy that took place right in our community."

He said the team's thoughts and prayers are with those who have died and offered condolences to their loved ones.

Recovery efforts at an Oakland warehouse fire have ended and the death toll stands at 36.

The fire broke out during a dance party Friday night.

___

1 p.m.

Investigators say a fire at a warehouse in Oakland that claimed 36 lives progressed rapidly, trapping people on second floor.

Special agent in charge of the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Jill Snyder said Wednesday people on the second floor of the warehouse did not know there was a fire on the first floor until it was well developed.

She says smoke went up the stairwells to the second floor.

The fire broke out at the warehouse during a dance party Friday night.

___

12:30 p.m.

The owner of a restaurant in Oakland has come under criticism from artists after voicing concerns that an artists' warehouse next door could pose a public safety hazard.

Dorothy King called a news conference Wednesday to say, "I'm concerned they could burn down my business."

She says the neighboring warehouse, known as "The Salt Lick," had regular parties and just one exit.

Several artists attended the news conference and criticized her, accusing King of launching a "witch hunt" against the art world that could result in artist collectives being shut down. The artists said they did not live or work at the warehouse but were speaking on behalf of those who did.

King responded that wants the city to take steps to make the warehouse safe and doesn't want it shut down.

___

8:25 a.m.

Recovery efforts at an Oakland warehouse fire have ended and the death toll stands at 36.

The fire broke out at the warehouse during a dance party Friday night.

The news comes a day after Oakland officials declared a local state of emergency due. The Oakland City Council is slated to ratify the state of emergency on Thursday. This will begin the process for state and federal aid.

Officials say a refrigerator was a potential source of the fire, but it was too soon to say for sure.

____

6:35 a.m.

Investigators zeroed in on a refrigerator and other electrical appliances as possible causes of the fire at a warehouse in Oakland that killed 36 people, as crews were set to finish their search for bodies.

The death toll in the most lethal building fire in the U.S. in more than a decade was not expected to go higher.

A refrigerator was a potential source of the fire, but it was too soon to say for sure, said Jill Snyder, special agent in charge of the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Snyder says investigators were looking at "anything electrical" on the first floor of the warehouse near the origin of the blaze.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos

Most recent U.S. stories

Related topics

U.S.
The Associated Press

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast