2 Oakland, California, warehouse fire victims from New Jersey identified

Two victims of the deadly Oakland, California, warehouse fire who had roots in New Jersey have been identified. Alex Ghassan, a former resident of Orange, and Griffin Madden, of Morristown, are among

News 12 Staff

Dec 8, 2016, 5:01 AM

Updated 2,694 days ago

Share:

2 Oakland, California, warehouse fire victims from New Jersey identified
Two victims of the deadly Oakland, California, warehouse fire who had roots in New Jersey have been identified.
Alex Ghassan, a former resident of Orange, and Griffin Madden, of Morristown, are among 36 people who perished when a fire broke out during a party in the warehouse.
Madden was a student at the University of California Berkeley.
Ghassan's mother says that he didn't live in the building, but was attending the party with his fiancée. Emilie Grandchamps says that she holds the city of Oakland and a number of others responsible for her son's death.
"I hold the manager; I hold the business owners; I certainly hold the city [responsible]," she says. "I don't think they did their job thoroughly."
The warehouse was a place where artists lived and worked. Officials are looking at the possibility that a refrigerator or other appliance was the source of the fire.
Crews have searched about 90 percent of the building, but say that they are pretty sure no more bodies will be recovered from the wreckage.


More from News 12
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:36
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

1:38
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace's Key Lime Pie

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace's Key Lime Pie