Oakland warehouse fire: Family, friends remember victims
OAKLAND, Calif. -- So far, 33 victims of an Oakland warehouse fire have been identified.
“All I can hope is that it was as quick and swift as possible, but there’s no way of knowing that,” said Randy Wittenauer, who could only pray that his son didn’t suffer.
Thirty-two-year-old Brandon Chase Wittenauer is one of at least 36 people who died in Friday’s fire. He washed dishes during the day, so he could pursue his music career at night.
“I could never criticize him because I was right there with him hoping that, yeah, maybe your dreams will come true for you,” Randy Wittenauer said.
Twenty-two-year-old singer Cash Askew died in the fire. Friends at her record label say she “was loved and admired by everyone she met, and her passing is an excruciating loss.”
David Cline recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in computer science, and was at Friday’s music event with a friend.
His brother says his “smile and his presence changed every person that was lucky enough to feel his warmth and light.”
Several other victims were also artists and musicians, so far ranging in ages from 17 to 35.
Amanda Brown worked with several of the people who were performing Friday night at the “Ghost Ship” and knew them personally.
“I just don’t want these particular people to be gone because I find them to be inspiring and I find them to be creative and sort of glue that holds us all together,” Brown said.
CBS News has learned the youngest victim so far is a 17-year-old boy whose father works with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. Throughout the day hundreds of people have come here to pay their respects at a memorial.
A vigil for the victims and the missing will be held Monday night. Thousands were expected to attend.