Long, heartbreaking day closes with vigil for Oakland fire victims

A heartbreaking day of identifying bodies and searching for the cause of the deadly warehouse fire in Oakland ended Monday in a mass candlelight vigil on the shores of Lake Merritt.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf was among hundreds of people who gathered around a white pagoda on the north side of the lake, where they listened to tearful speeches from people close to the victims and encouraging words from Oakland officials.

The crowd held aloft cell phones, plastic candles, glow sticks and other light sources, but generally avoided lighting candles in a show of deference to the fire victims.

“We took a devastating hit and all we want to do is honor those people and not put any blame on anybody,” said James Morales, 34, of Oakland, who got choked up thinking about the five friends he said he lost in the inferno.

Thirty-six bodies have been found in the converted warehouse on 31st Avenue and International Boulevard, where dozens of partiers were trapped when a fire broke out Friday night during an electronic music performance by Golden Donna 100% Silk.

The supportive mood was broken however when Schaaf stepped up to the podium and was greeted by a chorus of boos.