‘40 killed’ in rave inferno
UP TO 40 people are feared dead after a fire swept through a rave party in the US.
At least nine partygoers were confirmed dead yesterday, and 31 are missing after the blaze in Oakland, California, late on Friday night.
Smoke alarms failed and there was no sprinkler system at the warehouse venue, investigators said.
Revellers said they struggled to make fire extinguishers work as flames tore through the two-storey structure. It took firefighters more than five hours to get the blaze under control.
A police spokesman said: ‘We are prepared for upwards of 40 people [killed], based on the number of people we know have perished in the fire and the number of calls we’ve had from people looking for missing loved ones.’
The fire broke out shortly before midnight in a warehouse which had been converted into a live-work artists’ collective. Up to 100 partygoers were enjoying a show featuring musician Golden Donna.
Warehouse resident Bob Mule escaped the blaze, but was unable to help an injured friend who begged for help.
‘It was too hot, too much smoke – I had to get out of there,’ said Mr Mule, an artist.
‘I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs suffocated by smoke. I couldn’t get the fire extinguisher to work.’