Culture

Two people were arrested in connection with last year’s Ghost Ship fire

The building's landlord could be facing jail time.

Culture

36
The number of counts of involuntary manslaughter filed against Derick Almena and Max Harris, the proprietors of the “Ghost Ship” warehouse that burned down last year.
Culture

Two people were arrested in connection with last year’s Ghost Ship fire

The building's landlord could be facing jail time.

Today, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced the arrests of Derick Almena and Max Harris in connection with the December fire at Oakland's Ghost Ship warehouse and performance space. The two face 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The interim director of planning and building for the city of Oakland told CNN that the building hadn't been inspected in over 30 years, and that complaints were filed against the building just three weeks before the fire.

The tragedy at the Ghost Ship prompted renewed scrutiny for DIY event spaces around the country, with organizers facing closures and raids of venues in cities like Baltimore and Denver.

Oakland

By coincidence, reporter Michael Rosen was at the “Ghost Ship” when a fire broke out

The space was used as an art collective and for parties.
At least 36 are dead, according to officials. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Everything inside was made of wood, Rosen wrote. “That place was a tinderbox,” a friend said.
Read More