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| Oakland warehouse manager 'incredibly sorry' for fire that killed 36 | Oakland warehouse manager 'incredibly sorry' for fire that killed 36 |
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| The manager of an Oakland warehouse that was destroyed in a devastating fire last week has said he is “incredibly sorry” for the blaze, which erupted during a party and killed at least 36 people. | The manager of an Oakland warehouse that was destroyed in a devastating fire last week has said he is “incredibly sorry” for the blaze, which erupted during a party and killed at least 36 people. |
| The fire, in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, was the deadliest in the city’s history, shocking the area’s vibrant underground arts scene. Many of the victims were artists or musicians and were part of a tight-knit community. | The fire, in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, was the deadliest in the city’s history, shocking the area’s vibrant underground arts scene. Many of the victims were artists or musicians and were part of a tight-knit community. |
| The warehouse, known as the “Ghost Ship”, had a history of complaints for alleged violations of the fire code. The fire started there at around 11.30pm on Friday, authorities said, and firefighters were unable to extinguish it until around 4am. | The warehouse, known as the “Ghost Ship”, had a history of complaints for alleged violations of the fire code. The fire started there at around 11.30pm on Friday, authorities said, and firefighters were unable to extinguish it until around 4am. |
| In an emotional interview, Derek Almena, the manager and leaseholder of the warehouse, told the Today show’s Matt Lauer: “I’m only here to say one thing – I’m incredibly sorry and that everything that I did was to make this a stronger and more beautiful community and to bring people together.” | In an emotional interview, Derek Almena, the manager and leaseholder of the warehouse, told the Today show’s Matt Lauer: “I’m only here to say one thing – I’m incredibly sorry and that everything that I did was to make this a stronger and more beautiful community and to bring people together.” |
| Almena, who lived in the warehouse with his partner and children but had been staying at a hotel for the weekend of the party, said he had opened the space to low-income artists who “can’t pay [their] rent because your dream is bigger than your pocketbook”. | Almena, who lived in the warehouse with his partner and children but had been staying at a hotel for the weekend of the party, said he had opened the space to low-income artists who “can’t pay [their] rent because your dream is bigger than your pocketbook”. |
| He became more distressed as the interview wore on and grew defensive at the perception that he might have born some responsibility for the fire. | He became more distressed as the interview wore on and grew defensive at the perception that he might have born some responsibility for the fire. |
| “I didn’t do anything ever in my life that would lead me up to this moment,” he said. “I’m an honorable man. I’m a proud man. I’m not going to answer these questions on this level. I’d rather get on the floor and be trampled by the parents. I’d rather let them tear at my flesh than answer these ridiculous questions.” | “I didn’t do anything ever in my life that would lead me up to this moment,” he said. “I’m an honorable man. I’m a proud man. I’m not going to answer these questions on this level. I’d rather get on the floor and be trampled by the parents. I’d rather let them tear at my flesh than answer these ridiculous questions.” |
| Authorities are trying to determine whether anyone will face criminal charges resulting from the fire. On Tuesday, district attorney Nancy O’Malley said in a press conference that the warehouse was considered “a potential crime scene”. She added that it was “too premature to know where the investigation will lead us”. | Authorities are trying to determine whether anyone will face criminal charges resulting from the fire. On Tuesday, district attorney Nancy O’Malley said in a press conference that the warehouse was considered “a potential crime scene”. She added that it was “too premature to know where the investigation will lead us”. |
| On Tuesday, the city of Oakland released 10 new names of victims of the fire to add to the list of those already publicly identified, which include a teacher and several musicians. | On Tuesday, the city of Oakland released 10 new names of victims of the fire to add to the list of those already publicly identified, which include a teacher and several musicians. |
| The newly identified victims are Em B, 33; Micah Danemayer, 28; Alex Ghassan, 35; Edmond Lapine, 34; Benjamin Runnels, 32; Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31; Chelsea Dolan, 33; Michela Gregory, 20; Jennifer Morris, 21; and Feral Pines, 29. | |
| Their families have been notified, the city said in a statement. | Their families have been notified, the city said in a statement. |
| At least 19 more victims have not yet been named, according to authorities, including one from Finland, one from South Korea and one from Guatemala. Oakland police said Tuesday morning that no more bodies were discovered overnight at the warehouse and 90% of the area had now been searched. | At least 19 more victims have not yet been named, according to authorities, including one from Finland, one from South Korea and one from Guatemala. Oakland police said Tuesday morning that no more bodies were discovered overnight at the warehouse and 90% of the area had now been searched. |
| On Monday, mourners held a vigil for the victims of the fire by the shore of Lake Merritt in Oakland, and before their Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills, the Oakland Raiders football team held a moment of silence in memory of those lost in the fire. | On Monday, mourners held a vigil for the victims of the fire by the shore of Lake Merritt in Oakland, and before their Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills, the Oakland Raiders football team held a moment of silence in memory of those lost in the fire. |