1st LD: Electrical system probed as likely cause of Oakland fire

The U.S. federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is looking into electrical system as a likely cause behind a fire that killed 36 people in Oakland.

However, ATF Special Agent in Charge Jill Snyder told a news conference Tuesday "there is no final determination" about the cause of the blaze on Dec. 2 night at the converted warehouse in the northern Californian city on the U.S. west coast.

Notifying that the ATF has concluded its part of the on-site investigation into the worst fire in the history of Oakland, Snyder said the electrical system inside the two-story warehouse, known as "Ghost Ship," will be looked at as a possible source of the blaze.

On the same occasion, Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed confirmed, for the first time, that the city's fire department has no records about the structure, including those about fire inspection and about possible complaints, arguing that "we do not inspect buildings, we inspect businesses."

The building, in Reed's words, was not "an active business."

Apparently defying a number of city codes, while the structure was permitted for use only as a warehouse, it was turned into art studios, living spaces and a party venue.

At time of the fire, which started on Dec. 2 night and continued into Dec. 3 morning, there was an electronic music party and dozens of people were at the event.

Again, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley pledged at the press conference that an ongoing criminal investigation by her office into the fire will be "thorough, methodical and calculated." Endit