Overview of the ghost ship warehouse fire case

On December 2, 2016 many lives were lost so suddenly, Michela Gregory went to an electronic dance music event in Oakland, California, it was held at a warehouse named “ Ghost Ship”. The building was approximately 10, 000 square-feet and was originally supposed to be used as a storage but was instead used for residential purposes. During that event a fire broke out with at the most 100 people inside. Michela ended up getting trapped inside of the building along with patrons and invitees because of the unsafe circumstances and the configuration of the warehouse. Unfortunately as time passed and she couldn’t get out Gregory sustained some injuries from the smoke inhalation and the fire itself. She feared for her life and her safety while still alive, but eventually died from the tragedy. Her parents Kimberly and David Gregory sued the City of Oakland because they were very much liable for Michela’s injury, then death.

Under the California law the city breached its duties, and the city had a duty to investigate and to protect the public and warn the dangers of the building through its departments/agencies but they failed to do so. From the beginning the interior of the building was what anyone would call a death trap, it also contained a maze of makeshift rooms, alcoves and partitions. In those parts of the building people were living and working there. The “ Ghost Ship required adequate and the sufficient fire safety measures but sadly was way out of date. The buildings electrical boxes were done by unlicensed contractors which brought on extra problems to the building. The system ended up being overloaded with excessive use by the dozens of people who lived and worked in the warehouse that caused multiple fires. Although there had been recent fires in the building none of them were as extensive as the one that Michela died in. right there the fire department should have done something to make sure no more fires happened but they didn’t.

There were many complaints about the “ Ghost Ship” that was left pushed to the side and unheard most likely because no one cared how unsafe the building was, as long as they were able to do whatever they wanted it was okay. Chor Nar Siu Ng the owner of the building had been violated multiple times for the building being unsafe and because of many different reasons all going back to 2014 such as using the building illegally for residential purposes, trash and construction debris and vector issues, items left on the sidewalk making the neighborhood look very bad, illegal interior building structure and many more. Despite all of the notices that was sent out to Chor none of the violations ever got the building shut down, when it should have been. Everyone that worked for the Oakland Fire Department knew that the Ghost Ship wasn’t safe but they chose to ignore it. A block away sat a fire department and surprisingly The Fire department of all departments even went and had a music event before December 2, 2016, so they had no reason to say that they couldn’t have known that the building was unsafe because the condition was well known and not hard to miss. After so many complaints of the excessive noise and debris the City of Oakland Police Department had no choice but to go and check out the place.

The Oakland Fire Department also went in regards of the complaints and clearly saw that that conditions were unsafe and very dangerous. Derick Almena and Max Cardin in the County of Alameda, State of California violated section 1492(b) penal code of California that said the defendants did unlawfully and without malice. They were both charged with thirty – six counts of involuntary manslaughter. Almina and Max were the property manager and lessees who both were living in the unsafe dwelling called the Ghost Ship with three underage children at that. The staff of the county all knew they were living there and failed to report any sign of child abuse which is mandatory requirements. The one thing that the county failed to do that they should have done was protect.

The county overlooked all of the issues of the Ghost Ship which resulted in multiple deaths. Thirty plus people should not have had their lives to be taken away from them in order for the warehouse to be shut down. Everyone who knew about the building being unsafe such as the county and the fire department were all very negligent and failed to go through with an investigation that was much needed. Michela Gregory’s parents did what was right and sought out all damages under the law in civil actions. The expenses included medical and intentional expenses; the financial support Decedent would have contributed to the family; funeral and burial expenses; and plenty more all coming out to ten thousand dollars maximum. The family also sought attorneys’ fees, costs and other damages as permitted under applicable laws. Gregory’s parents sought out prejudgment interest on the damages that are attributable to an ascertainable economic value, which is in accordance with civil code section 3291. Also at that same electronic dance music party was Michael Griffin, just like Gregory he was killed in the fire that took place at The Ghost Ship that night, his parents also filed a civil case for damages exceeding the amount ten thousand dollars as well. They too sought out damages in accordance with civil code 3291 In both cases Griffin’s and Gregory’s the claimants did not have the identity of all City personnel involved, but they included agents, employees, and the Fire Department representatives.

The county, fire departments, building owner and property manager, are all solely responsible for everyone injured or killed at that party. Had the employees, representatives and agents did their jobs correctly those thirty six civilians would probably still be here today. All of the statements that were made in the claim are upon belief and information. Although the county is to blame for the tragedy, so are the party goers in a way. I only say that because they had to have known all about the bad reputation of the building, if the county and fire departments knew then they should have as well due to the fact that there were so many complaints about the building. Yes, Oakland California’s county representatives and fire department should have shut the warehouse down but they didn’t and let it continue to stay open full force with illegal occupants and knowing that something in this matter could possibly happen. Three fires before this one and the county still let the building stand and ignored the fact that people live, work and party in there.

All in all the County let illegal things go on for so long with the building that it seemed as if they didn’t care, which they should have. Looking more into the case I found out that a judge denied the two men a plea deal. Fortunately the three children survived. Now that the building burned there can be no more tragedies coming from a place that should have been shut down years ago.