The death toll has risen to 36 at the Oakland warehouse-turned-art-space, Ghost Ship, in what was one of the deadliest building fires in the city’s history. The fire broke out late Friday night and investigators are still sifting through the wreckage in the search of any more victims and, hopefully, answers as to how the fire started.
Here’s how you can help the victims of the Oakland fire, and the surrounding community:
1. The Fire Relief Fund for Victims of Ghost Ship Oakland Fire – This YouCaring.com fundraiser is the main collective for funds to help victims. The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, who organized the foundation, are working closely with the Oakland Mayor’s office and the Red Cross to effectively distribute the donations. “We at Gray Area feel that a relief fund is critical to the surviving victims as well as the families of those that passed,” the site says. “We are waiting on official word from authorities prior to making further decisions but our hope is to provide relief for Funeral, Medical and Health related expenses first and foremost.”
2. Resources from local residents – A Google Doc has been created to list local residents willing to connect with and assist fire victims. Everything from lodging, food, and transportation, to outlets for stress relief are covered on the spreadsheet. If you live in the area, this is a great way to reach out personally to people who may need help.
3. Oakland Fire Relief – Donations to this fundraiser will be matched by the Oakland A’s, the Oakland Raiders, and the Golden State Warriors for a total of up to $150,000. Organized by the A’s, this is the most recent way the organization is working to help the community where the team is based.
4. Ghost Ship Fire: Residents Support – The GoFundMe fundraiser created by Reina Lam was started specifically to support the long-term living needs of the residents of Ghost Ship. Not only was the warehouse an art-space, many people also lived there, and lost their homes and belongings as a result of the fire. All donations to this collection will fund materials for residents to essentially start their lives over. In just three days this fund has already passed its goal of $10,000.
Top photo via Twitter: Jose Carlos Fajardo
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