Justice
After a Tragedy, Reckoning With Oakland's Affordability Crisis
A devastating warehouse fire has made it clear that the city has failed to support its artist community.
On Friday, December 2, a massive fire ripped through a warehouse in downtown Oakland. Known as the Ghost Ship, it was the home of around 25 artists and creatives, and that night, they’d opened their doors to dozens more for a concert.
As the show got underway, a blaze ignited at the back of the building. Nobody is yet sure how it started, but the flames traveled quickly; the interior of the Ghost Ship was a maze of wooden beams and improvised corridors, packed to the edges with art supplies and old furniture. People scrambled to get out, but there were only two exits. Cries for help intermingled with music from the DJ booth.