Ghost Ship warehouse fire

On December 2, 2016, a fire broke out in an old warehouse in Oakland, California that had been turned into a place for artists to live and work. The building, called the Ghost Ship, was hosting a concert with about 80 to 100 people. Sadly, the fire killed 36 people, making it the worst fire in Oakland’s history.

The building was only supposed to be used for industrial work, not for people to live in or for events. The main person in charge of the building had told police that no one lived there, even though many people did. After the fire, he and his assistant were charged with serious crimes for the deaths. They went to trial, but the case was difficult, and finally, the main person admitted to being responsible and was sent to prison.

The city of Oakland later agreed to pay money to help the families of those who were lost in the fire and to someone who was badly hurt. Another company that provided electricity also agreed to pay some of the families, though the exact amount was not made public. The fire reminded everyone about the importance of safety in places where people gather.

Background

Building

The Ghost Ship warehouse was a large building made of cement blocks, built in 1930. It was bought in 1988 by Chor Ng, who owned other properties and businesses nearby. The building used extension cords for electricity, which worried some people who lived there.

Ownership and management

In 2013, Chor Ng rented the building to Derick Almena and Nicholas Bouchard. They said they would use it as an artist collective for making sets and holding workshops. Almena called the building the Ghost Ship and lived there with his family. He also rented space to about 25 artists for much less than usual rent. Almena told people the warehouse was only a studio and not a place where people lived, even though that was not true.

Makeshift spaces

Living in the warehouse was not allowed. The spaces where people lived were made from many different items like pianos, windows, wood, and metal. The building was full of these objects, making it hard to move around. Almena and his family lived on the second floor, while others lived in small rooms or vehicles on the first floor.

Known problems

The city had received many complaints about the warehouse over the years. In November 2016, inspectors visited but could not go inside because no one answered the door. They needed permission to enter. The building had not been inspected in over 30 years. Police and fire officials had said the building was dangerous, but their concerns were not acted on.

Electrical problems

People in the building had told Almena about problems with the electricity. Almena had complained that the wiring was old and needed fixing. After a small fire in 2014, someone replaced a burnt part with a cheaper one. There were ongoing issues with the electrical system.

Fire

On December 2, an electronic-music concert was being held in an old warehouse in Oakland, California, which had been turned into a place for artists to live. About 80 to 100 people were there.

The fire started and spread very quickly because there were no fire alarms or sprinklers. The building was full of wooden furniture, art, and other items that caught fire easily. The layout was confusing, making it hard for people to escape. Firefighters arrived quickly but could not see much because of the thick smoke. They tried to go inside but had to pull back because the fire was too strong.

Unfortunately, many people were unable to escape the smoke and the fire. The building was very crowded, and the stairs caught fire, trapping some people upstairs. It took firefighters many hours to bring the fire under control.

Victims

The fire sadly took the lives of 36 people, ranging in age from 18 to 61. Most of them lived in the Bay Area, with one person coming from Finland. Many were students or recent graduates from the University of California, Berkeley. Some were musicians and artists, including Cherushii and Cash Askew from the group Them Are Us Too.

Legal aftermath

Criminal investigation

The office of the district attorney in Alameda County started a criminal investigation on December 4, 2016. The mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaaf, said that anyone found responsible could face serious charges.

In early 2017, lawyers for one of the people in charge said the fire started in a different building. Later, investigators said they still didn’t know what caused the fire.

Prosecution

In 2018, the two main people in charge of the warehouse agreed to admit they were responsible for the deaths of many people in the fire. However, a judge did not accept their agreement because one of them did not seem to feel sorry enough.

The trial started in 2019. Witnesses talked about past problems with the warehouse. One of the people in charge said the city was to blame. The other person said he was just trying to make his emails sound more important.

The jury could not agree on a decision, so a new trial was planned. In 2021, one of the people in charge admitted to being responsible and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Civil lawsuits

Many families filed lawsuits against several groups, including the people in charge of the warehouse and the city of Oakland. In 2020, Oakland agreed to pay millions to the families of those who died and to someone who was badly hurt. An electricity company also agreed to a settlement, though the amount was not made public.

Reactions

After the fire, many people and groups showed support for those affected. A member of the Oakland City Council said that city rules needed to be followed more strictly. The Oakland Athletics baseball team and the Oakland Raiders football team offered to match donations for families in need, up to $30,000. The Golden State Warriors basketball team gave $50,000 and later added another $75,000 to help relief efforts. Player Stephen Curry sold two pairs of his shoes for over $45,000 to support the relief fund.

A special event called a Facebook Safety Check was started to help people find out if their friends and family were safe. Many artists and music groups held concerts and raised money to help. One concert alone raised about $300,000 for the relief fund. People also held vigils to honor those who were lost in the fire. The mayor of Oakland announced new plans to help artists find safe and affordable places to live and work.

Legacy

Site

In 2023, the old warehouse where the fire happened was torn down. A group called The Unity Council bought the land and plans to build homes that people can afford to rent. Money from selling the land will help pay for legal costs. As of May 2025, no construction has begun yet.

Memorials

In 2017, an artist painted a big mural to remember the 36 people who died in the fire. The mural shows a ship, a scroll with the victims' names, and 36 white doves.

Another person also built a small ship-shaped art piece near a marina to honor those who lost their lives. Friends and family of two victims formed a choir to finish a song that the victims had been working on.