US: At least 9 dead in San Francisco fire

WASHINGTON

At least nine people have been reported dead Saturday after an inferno tore through a warehouse party outside San Francisco overnight.

Another 13 victims have been reported missing in the Oakland, California, blaze, The Associated Press reported, citing Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed.

Alameda County sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly later stated that authorities were bracing for up to 40 fatalities as recovery efforts continue, according to multiple reports.

The AP said that no sprinkler systems were present in the building.

The official tally of dead remains at nine as responders continue to sift through the debris. Recovery efforts have been difficult as the warehouse roof caved in during the fire.

The blaze occurred at an event for musician Golden Donna’s 100% Silk West Coast tour.

An apparent Facebook page for the tour said there was supposed to be a secret east Oakland location announced the day of the show, but does not specify a date.

Users posted condolences to the page and sought information on missing persons.

The East Bay Times reported that the fire is likely one of the deadliest single-structure fires in Oakland’s history.

The newspaper said the venue was being used by roughly 50 artists in a collective, and that 55 firefighters were called to the scene to help thwart the inferno.

Four of the nine bodies that have been recovered have been pulled from the debris, it said.