Oakland "Ghost Ship" Fire Claims Dozens of Lives

On Friday, December 2, a fire broke out at the 1305 31st Avenue artist commune locally known as the "Ghost Ship." More than 30 people are confirmed dead and that toll, officials tell us, is expected to rise as fire and rescue personnel continue to search the debris days later. It is already being called one of the biggest and deadliest fires in Oakland's history.

What Was the "Ghost Ship?"

The building that housed the Ghost Ship commune may have looked abandoned from the outside, but pre-fire photographs reveal that the interior was a dense artist's space filled with furniture and other ornate fixtures. It is believed that roughly 25 local artists resided at the Ghost Ship.

Friday night, however, the space hosted an electronic dance concert for residents and attendees from our local art community. It is believed that the fire broke out shortly before midnight.

What Caused the Fire?

As of this writing, it was reported that investigators believed they had found the origin point of the fire, but that the exact cause is still unknown. Major news outlets have also noted that there have been past fire safety concerns at the property, but any liability is a matter that will be determined at a later date.

Clancy & Diaz, LLP would like to offer our deepest sympathies to everyone who has been affected by this tragedy. This is an unfathomable loss both to our artist community and to our city's community as a whole. If your family has been affected by this fire, then our team of advocates is ready to speak with you and help you determine your legal options now and in the weeks to come.

We also hope that you will join us in considering a donation to all those who have been affected by the fire via the YouCaring crowdfunding campaign set up by the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts.

Clancy & Diaz, LLP is a premier Oakland personal injury firm. Our team has recovered millions of dollars in relief for our clients and always ensures that every avenue towards compensation is exhaustively pursued.

For more information, call the firm today to request a free case evaluation.