California Officials React to Deadly Oakland Warehouse Fire
By Associated Press and NBC Bay Area staff ••
Gov. Jerry Brown and other state officials issued statements of condolences Saturday after a warehouse fire in Oakland, California, left at least nine people dead, with the possibility of the death toll rising to 40.
Brown, the former mayor of Oakland, said in a statement that he and his wife, Anne, were saddened to hear about the deadly blaze.
In the statement Saturday he said: "Our thoughts are with the entire city in this difficult time and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of those lost."
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom also took to Twitter to send his thoughts to the Oakland community and thank first responders for "risking their lives to save others."
State Attorney General and U.S. Sen.-elect Kamala Harris also tweeted her reaction Saturday, saying, "Sending strength and prayers to Oakland for those lost and suffering. A terrible, terrible tragedy."
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Aerial shot of the warehouse in Oakland that burned overnight. (Dec. 3, 2016)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: The face of a building that was the scene of a overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Firefighters investigate the scene of a overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: A woman places flowers on a fence outside a police line following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Imag
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: A drone is used to provide emergency responders with an aerial view of a warehouse following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Imag
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Three people survey the scene of a fire following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf speaks at a press conference following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Firefighters work on the scene following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Flowers bearing the message "you are my family" are placed near the scene following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Imag
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: A woman becomes emotional while speaking on the phone near the scene following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Imag
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Alameda County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Ray Kelly speaks at a press conference following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Imag
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: A man places flowers in a fence as part of a makeshift memorial following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Imag
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed speaks to the press following an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Firefighters investigate the scene of a overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: The face of a building that was the scene of a overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Firefighters investigate the scene of a overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Firefighters investigate the scene of a overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California. The warehouse was hosting an electronic music party. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Aerial shot of the warehouse in Oakland that burned overnight. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Firefighters, sheriff's officials, police and other first responders work the scene of the deadly Oakland fire.
NBC Bay Area
Aerial view of burned structure in Oakland where at least nine people were killed and 25 are missing. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Aerial view of a building in Oakland where a fire left at least nine dead and 25 missing. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Crews at the deadly Oakland fire deploy a drone to aid in the aftermath. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Mayor Libby Schaaf, along with police and fire officials, addresses the deadly fire in Oakland during a news conference. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
A three-alarm fire burns at a warehouse in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
The command post set up at the scene of a deadly structure fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
NBC Bay Area
Oakland firefighters work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
People leave flowers in the fence outside a building where at least nine people died in a fire. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
People leave flowers in the fence outside a building where at least nine people died in a fire. (Dec. 3, 2016)
A person leaves flowers in the fence outside a building where at least nine people died in a fire. (Dec. 3, 2016)
A warehouse damaged by a three-alarm fire is photographed. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Oakland firefighters and officials work a deadly three-alarm fire in Oakland. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Burned out windows of an Oakland warehouse that was gutted by a three-alarm fire that killed at least nine people. (Dec. 2, 2016)
Ari Nava
A group of friends gather near the scene of the deadly warehouse fire, worried about a friend who they believe was killed in the blaze. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Junk and other debris can be seen on the sidewalk and exterior of the building. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Strangers and friends of those believed to be inside the site of the deadly blaze begin leaving flowers outside the building. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Strangers and friends of those believed to be inside the site of the deadly blaze begin leaving flowers outside the building. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
A woman leaves a pink carnation in memory of those who have perished. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Alameda County Sheriff's officials on the scene. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Alameda County Sheriff's officials on the scene. (Dec. 3, 2016)
Ari Nava
Six coroner's tents were set up outside the building. (Dec. 3, 2016)
State Assemblyman Rob Bonta issued a statement via Facebook and tweeted it. Bonta, who represents the 18th district, which includes Oakland, offered his condolences to the victims and their families.
"As a strong Oakland community, I know we will come together to help and console our friends and neighbors," Bonta said in the statement. "My office stands ready to help in any way. I ask everyone to take a moment in your own way to remember these victims and support their families."
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued a separate statement calling the fire "an immense tragedy."
Authorities say they fear up to 40 people might have died in the fire at a warehouse converted into artist studios that was hosting an electronic dance party.
Rescue crews were combing through wreckage and still trying to access parts of the warehouse Saturday.
Our thoughts are with the entire city in this difficult time & we extend our condolences to the family & friends of those lost #OaklandFire
