Criminal investigation team activated in Ghost Ship fire
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- During a press conference Sunday, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff announced the city's district attorney activated a criminal investigation team to look into the Ghost Ship fire that killed at least 33 people.
PHOTOS: A look inside the Oakland Ghost Ship collective warehouse
Officials say that number is expected to rise, with only 35-40 percent of the building search complete so far. "We have another 60 plus percent to search and we're finding mobile homes, or trailers where people may have been living inside, those trailers will need to be searched, we don't even know if there's people inside of those," Kelly said.
Seven different families have been notified that their loved ones have been positively identified.
RELATED: Ex-employees say Ghost Ship founder disregarded fire hazard warnings
An Alameda County Sheriff's Office captain asked families during a press conference to save items for possible DNA identification. "Any family members or friends of the victims, if you can preserve any DNA type of equipment like combs, brushes and secure them in a brown paper bag," Alameda County Sheriff's Office Capt. Melanie Ditzenberger said.
RELATED: Oakland fire helpline, information for families
Officials announced there were teenagers among the death toll. "We have now started to recover and identify the victims who are minors. We do have some children in the ages of 17 years old, possibly younger," Alameda County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ray Kelly said.
On Sunday afternoon, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office confirmed that one of their deputies lost a son in the fire. "This tragedy hit very close to home for our agency. One of our deputies that we work with lost his son in this fire," Kelly said.
At this time many people are stopping by the scene to drop off flowers for the victims.
If you are trying to locate a loved one, or need information call 510-382-3000.
Click here to donate and help the the families of the victims. The Warriors, Raiders, and Athletics are also teaming up to match donations.
Click here to check Facebook's Safety Check page.
Click here for all ABC7 News stories, videos, and photos from the Ghost Ship warehouse fire.
