Oakland Fire Victims Identified

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Authorities in Oakland, California have begun to reveal the identities of the victims of the horrible fire in a warehouse that has claimed at least 36 lives.

The fire, the cause of which is still unknown and is under investigation, occurred on Friday night in a warehouse known as The Ghost Ship, which served as a home and studio for many artists. In addition, when the incident occurred, a massive party was held with the electronic music band Golden Donna.

Authorities, who do not expect to find new victims among the charred remains of the property, have identified only a handful of the deceased. On that list are Cash Askew, 22; David Cline, 24; Nick Gomez-Hall, 25; Sara Hoda, 30; Travis Hough, 35; Donna Kellogg, 32; and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. The name of an eighth 17-year-old victim will not be revealed as a minor.

Nick Gomez-Hall was of Hispanic origin and a graduate of the prestigious Brown University. The young man was a musician and worked at the Berkeley Counterpoint Press. He was noble, considerate, comical. He was an essential part of our team,”the company said in a statement.

Another victim, Sara Hoda, was a teacher at a Montesori school in Oakland. "Sara was a person of principle, she was compassionate, decent and honorable," said her friend Carol Crewdson. "She did not take drugs and did not take. She was a teacher and a gardener, working at a Montessori school. She was a good and hard-working person, she loved children and the land, and she turned her principles into actions. He didn't deserve to go like this."

US President Barack Obama asked Monday to pray for the families of the fatalities of the fire, one of the worst in California's history.

“Today our prayers are addressed to the residents of Oakland, California, following the deadly warehouse fire this weekend, one of the most terrible fires in that state's history. Although we do not yet know the full extent of this disaster, we do know that the community is devastated and many - including men and women with their futures ahead - have tragically lost their lives.”