At Least 9 Dead in Oakland Warehouse Party Fire (Update)

A fire broke out at a Oakland warehouse party on Friday night, killing at least 9 people with police preparing for up to 40 casualties.

BREAKING: Sheriff says officials prepared to deal with up to 40 deaths in Oakland, California nightclub fire.

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 3, 2016

The Sheriff’s Office has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment

Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said that perhaps up to 100 people were in the building when the fire started. Most of the deceased were on the second floor because there was only one way down on one stairway made of pallets, according to CNN.

The call about the fire in the Fruitvale neighborhood came in at around 11:30 p.m, reported the New York Times. The party at 1305 31st Avenue had started at 9 p.m., according to the Facebook page for the event.

Also Read: Sean Murphy, Oakland A's Minor League Pitcher, Dies at 27

People have been using the Facebook page to post the names of the people, including the names of artists and performers, they believe attended the warehouse party in hopes that it will aid authorities.

“Hi, I am here with the fire inspector going through the list of missing names of missing/safe,” wrote one woman. “I am requesting that you only post in this thread their name and missing or safe next to it.”

Also Read: Oakland Athletics' A Tribe Called Quest Tribute Really Has a Lot of Flavor

“It must have been a very fast-moving fire,” Reed told reporters Saturday morning. She added that the building “was kind of like an artist studio” that had partitions to break up where the artists worked.

CNN reported that firefighters have not been able to search the entire building, given that they first have to remove the debris and make sure the building is safe for entry.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau has been called to the scene. Facebook is now offering the Safety Check feature so people who attended the party can let loved ones know they are safe.

See a video of the fire below.

31st Ave- #oakland @KTVU @kron4news @CBSSF @abc7newsbayarea @allaboutgeorge pic.twitter.com/OecGgnuF6s

— Oakland Firefighters (@OaklandFireLive) December 3, 2016

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As venues rethink their security measures following the hostage crisis at the Bataclan theater, TheWrap looks back at past catastrophes

Cinema Rex fire, Abadan, Iran (Aug. 19, 1978)
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1978, a group of Islamic militants set fire to the Cinema Rex during a showing of "Gavaznha," leaving as many as 400 people dead.

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11 Tragedies at Theaters and Concerts, From The Who Stampede to Paris Massacre (Photos)

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