Here’s how to help Oakland fire victims

On Friday night, a devastating fire swept through artistic enclave Ghost Ship located at the 1300 block of 31st Avenue in Oakland. The blaze happened at around 11:30 pm during a party, where many revelers were trapped inside the rickety structure. At least 36 bodies have been recovered as of Monday morning. That number is expected to climb as soon as crews continue to search debris.

Right now, the victims and victims’ families need support for medical bills and memorial services. Here’s how you can help:

• The Oakland A's and Oakland Raiders will each match up to $50,000 that fans donate for a total of $100,000. (The Golden State Warriors, who call Oakland home, made a donation to the Unity Council, a nonprofit organization in Fruitvale.)
• YouCaring.com, started by the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, kicked started the donations. They’re up to $230,000, but need more.
• A GoFundMe page has been started to help residents who lost their home or art space in the fire.
• A vigil will take place tonight at 8pm at Lake Merritt Pergola (599 El Embarcadero, Oakland)

While blame is being ascribed haphazardly in comments sections of most news articles surrounding the fire—the art space, which housed a reported 32 inhabitants, many of them struggling artists, wasn’t up to code and the city failed to shut it down—right now, the community has suffered a horrific loss.

The aforementioned charities are a few good ways to start helping those in pain right now.

If you know of any other charities, please send us a tip of let us know in the comments.

• Official Death Toll In Oakland Warehouse Fire Rises [SFist]
• Search continues for more victims in Oakland warehouse fire [East Bay Express]
• As death toll rises to 36 in Oakland fire, hazard halts search [SFGate]
• Survivors describe escaping deadly ‘Ghost Ship’ fire [Mercury News]