Officials consider murder charges in California warehouse fire that killed 36

Prosecutors in California say that murder charges are possible after a warehouse fire killed 36 people, including at least two New Jersey residents. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley

News 12 Staff

Dec 6, 2016, 4:39 PM

Updated 2,708 days ago

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Officials consider murder charges in California warehouse fire that killed 36
Prosecutors in California say that murder charges are possible after a warehouse fire killed 36 people, including at least two New Jersey residents.
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said Monday her office has just started its probe and has not yet determined whether a crime even occurred. But she said charges could range from murder to involuntary manslaughter.
Investigators with the district attorney's office are making sure crews removing debris don't jeopardize any evidence in a potential criminal investigation.
The fire erupted during a dance party held in the warehouse late Friday night. Eleven victims have been positively identified, but all the names have yet to be publicly released.
Officials say that they do not believe that any additional bodies will be found in the warehouse.
Alex Ghassan, a filmmaker from Jersey City, has been identified as a victim. Ghassan recently moved to Oakland. It is believed he was with his fiancée at the time.
Griffin Madden, who is reportedly from Morristown, is also missing.
Authorities also believe they've located the section of the building where the fire started, but the cause remains unknown.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


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