OAKLAND (NBC) — The manager of the Oakland, California Warehouse where 36 people died Friday did not answer questions on accountability on NBC’s “Today” show this morning.
In a contentious interview, Derick Almena expressed remorse at the loss of life and said he was only trying to provide a place for struggling artist and others to live.
“I don’t want to talk about me. I don’t want to talk about profiting. This is profit? The loss of mass life? I’m a father. I laid my three children down there ever night. This is not profit, this is loss. This is a mass grave,” Almena said.
He continued, “I’m only here to say one thing. That I’m incredibly sorry and that everything I did was to make this a stronger more beautiful community and to bring people together. People didn’t walk through those doors because it was a horrible place. People didn’t seek us out to perform and express themselves because it was a horrible place.”
In the interview, Almena said the warehouse met standards “supposedly,” but officials in Oakland reported that the building was permitted for warehouse use only, and was under investigation for code violations.
You can see more of the contentious interview in the video above.
The death toll of the fire, which took place during a rave party at the warehouse, has risen to 36 people, but the number is expected to rise.
At least three other people with ties Massachusetts are still missing.
One woman, Amanda Allen, was one of the attendees at the dance party happening inside the converted warehouse when the fire started.
Allen’s family released a statement to 7News that reads in part:
Our whole family is obviously devastated and shook up right now – this has all been very difficult for us to process…Amanda is an incredible, beautiful person, daughter, sister and friend…our hears and prayers go out to all of the other families dealing with this as well. We’re here with you.
Investigators are looking into what caused the fire.
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