Refrigerator Eyed As Cause Of Deadly Oakland Warehouse Fire

The inside of the burned warehouse after the deadly fire that broke out on Dec. 2.

City of Oakland via AP

A refrigerator is being eyed as the possible origin of the fire at an Oakland warehouse that killed 36 people inside, a law enforcement official told BuzzFeed News.

The fire was sparked late Friday during a party at the warehouse, which was used as an art collective.

Officials said their efforts were focused on finding and retrieving the remains of dozens of victims inside the rubble of the building, but on Tuesday said investigators were looking at an appliance inside as the possible spark of the deadly blaze.

The fire appears to have started in the back of the building, where the heat and flames appeared to be particularly intense, suggesting a point of origin.

"We can see fire spread and ATF and our local investigators feel very strongly they have identified the section the building that is the point of origin," Oakland Fire Department Battalion Chief Melinda Drayton told reporters.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is leading the investigation into the fire, is looking at a refrigerator in the building as the possible cause of the fire, Sgt. J.D. Nelson, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office told BuzzFeed News.

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

ATF officials also told local Fox affiliate KTVU there is no sign of arson in the fire.

Firefighters have been able to search through 90% of the building and don't expect to find additional victims inside, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

The Alameda County District Attorney's office, which has initiated a criminal investigation into the fire, is leading the overall investigation. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said charges could range from murder to involuntary manslaughter, although it was still unclear whether any charges would be filed.

Authorities said the warehouse had been cited in the past by the city for code violations and the venue had recently come under investigation after neighbors complained of construction inside the building without a permit.

LINK: Here’s What It Was Like Inside The Deadly Oakland Warehouse Party Fire

LINK: Death Toll From California Warehouse Party Fire Rises To 36

LINK: Here Are Some Of The Victims Of The Oakland Warehouse Fire

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