Jessica Guynn and John Bacon, From USA TODAY

OAKLAND — The death toll from a deadly warehouse fire rose to 36 and the search for more victims was placed on hold Monday after authorities determined the building was dangerously unstable for firefighters inching through the devastation.

Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Melinda Drayton said firefighters halted work near the back of the building late Sunday after finding the location where the fire began. The cause of the blaze has not been determined, she said.

Drayton said firefighters later checking on the roof of a nearby building noticed a “slight lean” in the front of the warehouse. That forced a complete work stoppage early Monday.

“Working under a wobbly, potentially collapsing exterior wall is extremely dangerous,” she said. “We will not put our firefighters in danger at this point and we will not put Alameda County sheriff (deputies) in that precarious situation with us.”

Fire raced through the warehouse late Friday during a concert that drew dozens of partygoers. City officials say the first floor had been converted to impromptu — and unlicensed — artist studios and living spaces while most of the second floor was an open area used for concerts and parties. One rickety staircase was the only way down for those upstairs fleeing the blaze.

As deadly fire spread, partygoer thought: ‘This is probably contained’

Drayton said she hoped the slow, arduous work to reach victim remains would continue Monday afternoon. She said about 70% of the building has been searched and that she “absolutely” expects the death toll will rise.

So far, the names of seven victims have been released. Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Tya Modeste said 11 victims have been identified, and family members were being notified. One of the victims was a minor and that name won’t be released, she said. DNA samples were being taken of some victims and identification of some remains could take weeks, she said.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said some of the victims could be as young as 17. He added that some hailed from Europe and Asia. One of the victims was the son of a sheriff’s deputy, he said.

Impromptu memorials were springing up along the perimeter of the fire investigation zone, surrounded by police tape. Flowers, stuffed animals and notes paid tribute to the victims.

Mayor Libby Schaaf said Sunday that Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley activated a criminal investigation and investigators were on the scene. Schaaf said officials delivered “the unacceptable and horrific news of losing a loved one” to seven families, and that the city would be releasing the names of the deceased “promptly.”

“Our first priority is the humane and compassionate removal of the victims of this tragedy,” Schaaf said.

Chris Nechodom, 30, a photographer and filmmaker from Richmond, Calif., was visiting a friend on the first floor of the warehouse when the fire started. He told USA TODAY he thought at first it might be coming from a fog machine at the party above. But soon he was shouting so people fleeing the fire could follow his voice toward the exit.

Finally, he had inhaled so much smoke he had to go outside.

“I’m just praying and thanking the higher power that I made it out,” he said.

Bacon and Toppo reported from McLean, Va. Contributing: Greg Toppo

IMAGES:
The death toll in the Oakland warehouse fire has grown to 36. Officials announced the latest tally Monday, saying they expect the number to rise. Work has stopped at the scene for now because one wall poses a structural hazard for searchers. (Dec. 5) AP
Dozens of people lost their lives in the Oakland warehouse fire, including a number of artists who used it as a studio space and home. USA TODAY NETWORK
(Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP)
Well-wishers walk to place flowers at the scene in the aftermath Dec. 4, 2016, of a warehouse fire in Oakland. Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP

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