OAKLAND, Calif. _ Work to remove bodies and debris from the rubble of a deadly warehouse fire halted was overnight, even as officials announced Monday morning that the death toll had increased to 36.
Authorities did not identify any additional victims and said work was halted around 11:19 p.m. at the warehouse known as the "Ghost Ship" because the building became unstable. Work was expected to resume between noon and 2 p.m. Monday, Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Melinda Drayton said.
It is believed the death toll will rise, officials said, adding that only 35 to 40 percent of the gutted structure had been searched so far.
"We will not put our firefighters in danger and we won't put Alameda County Sheriff deputies in a precarious position," Drayton said.
Fire investigators now believe the origin of the blaze was in the rear of the building on the lower floor. The three-alarm fire quickly engulfed the Ghost Ship, an arts space in the 1300 block of 31st Avenue, during an electronic-music concert just before 11:30 p.m. Friday.
Heavy machinery deployed to shore up sections of the damaged building could be heard late into Sunday evening, and until work was halted, groups of firefighters and workers cleared material from the site. Makeshift memorials of flower bouquets contributed by well-wishers slowly grew in size along nearby sidewalks and fences.
In a tweet Sunday evening from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Twitter account, the agency said it would provide resources and support to Oakland fire and police departments and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
Weather conditions could pose a possible threat to the timely recovery of victims and evidence. According to the National Weather Service, dry but chilly conditions early this week are expected to yield to storm systems that could bring from one to three inches of rain to the region. Chances of rain could be highest Wednesday evening through Friday morning, followed by slight chances of rain Saturday night into Sunday morning.
