Records show repeat visits to Oakland warehouse before fire

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Oakland police and other city officials went to a cluttered warehouse converted into an illegal residence dozens of times in the several years before 36 people died in a late-night fire, according to documents released by the city Wednesday.

The records, requested by The Associated Press and other media outlets more than two months ago, detail complaints from neighbors, residents and visitors of the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse about safety problems, loud parties and other issues with the dilapidated building converted illegally into a living area.

The fire broke out Dec. 2 during a dance party and quickly ripped through the cluttered warehouse, which had been converted to artists' studios and illegal living space.

Photos of the interior showed a hodgepodge Bohemian scene of Tibetan prayer flags, Christmas lights and scores of wooden statues of Buddha, the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, elephants and dragons that sat atop pianos and turntables.