Dozens trapped, feared dead in horror dance party fire
THERE are fears up to 40 people may have perished in a horror fire which broke out during a dance party at a warehouse in Oakland, California.
More than 100 people were attending a concert on the second floor of the warehouse when the blaze broke out around 11.30pm local time on Friday.
So far, nine people have been confirmed dead, however, authorities say that number is expected to rise, with dozens of people still unaccounted for.
It’s understood a large number of people became trapped on the second floor when the fire started. The building had only one point of entry or exit from the top floor, making it impossible for partygoers to escape the inferno.
A full search of the warehouse was delayed after its roof collapsed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was making urgent enquiries to determine if any Australians were involved in the accident.
Officials hold press conference after warehouse fire in Oakland, California. Watch live: https://t.co/NEnwwrikSI https://t.co/2WmMgnZ6EW
— CNN (@CNN) December 3, 2016
Sergeant Ray Kelly gives an update on the process of searching the warehouse charred by the #OaklandFire https://t.co/zrvvfSJaXb pic.twitter.com/HnNzWVHL21
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 3, 2016
According to police, several people are dead and at least 25 are missing after an Oakland warehouse caught fire https://t.co/LkrslWArIs pic.twitter.com/CGygS6vtdp
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 3, 2016