The death toll from Friday night’s fire at the GhostShip in Oakland, California has risen to 24, with 80% of the building still to be searched.
Firefighters discovered 15 more bodies overnight as they made their way through the rubble of the building, according to the New York Times. The search of the rest of the building “could take days,” explained Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, who added, “We anticipate that the number of victims will rise.”
The GhostShip was a live-in artist commune located in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. On Friday night, it hosted a concert curated by Los Angeles record label 100% Silk and was attended by upwards of 100 people.
Despite its popularity, the GhostShip was under investigation by the City of Oakland over allegations of illegal occupancy and lack of required permits. The venue also lacked a sprinkler system and working smoke detectors.
