'I literally felt my skin peeling': Nine are killed and 25 missing after huge fire tears through a 100-person rave in an Oakland warehouse filled with artists' clutter, a makeshift stairwell and no sprinklers or smoke detectors

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Up to 40 people are feared dead with nine confirmed after a massive fire destroyed a northern California warehouse artist collective during an electronic music party early Saturday morning, and officials said the building had no sprinkler system or working smoke detectors as the owner had been cited by the city just last month for other violations.

Fire Chief Teresa Deloche-Reed said that at least another 25 people are still unaccounted for after the deadly blaze started around 11:30pm in the 1300 block of 31st Avenue during an event featuring musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour.

'We still have to do a more thorough search of the building and we don't know the potential number of other victims,' Deloche-Reed said. 'In my career of 30 years, I haven't experienced something of this magnitude.' 

She added that there was no sprinkler system and that firefighters saw no evidence that smoke detectors were activated during the blaze inside the two-story building that is known as an artists enclave called The Oakland Ghost Ship. 

Alameda County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ray Kelly said they fear up to 40 people could have possibly died. Arson investigators have been on the scene since the morning to help with investigation, as well as federal authorities. 

Kelly said that people inside during the rave either escaped unscathed or were trapped inside. 

'Right now there's 25 names of people that have not been accounted for,' Deloach-Reed said.  

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At least nine people died and 25 are still missing after a massive fire destroyed a northern California warehouse during a party early Saturday morning, officials said 

The party located in the 1300 block of 31st Ave in the Fruitvale district of the city was reportedly part of musician Golden Donna's '100% Silk' West Coast tour 

Alameda County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ray Kelly said they fear up to 40 people could have possibly died in the blaze that has destroyed the warehouse (above)

Firefighters assess the scene where a fire tore through a warehouse party early Saturday

Fire Chief Teresa Deloche-Reed (above) said that at least another 25 people are still unaccounted for after the deadly blaze started around 11:30pm in the 1300 block of 31st Avenue during an event featuring musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour

Firefighters are still working at the aftermath of a warehouse fire in the Fruitavale district of Oakland at the corner of 31st Avenue and International Boulevard

It's unclear what started the deadly blaze that has left at least 9 people killed and dozens more missing

Firefighters examine the roof of the warehouse to check its stability after a portion of it collapsed in the fire

'We're not sure if they have already self-transported to the hospital or they have gone to friend's home. We're not sure. 

'This is a true loss for the city, for the firefighters who responded, and the people who lost family and friend. It's just tragic, a real tragedy.' 

The fire is thought to be one of the deadliest single-structure fires in Oakland's history. 

Kelly said that some 'foreign nationals' were believed to have been inside the building attending the party, which could make it difficult for authorities to locate some of the families.  

Authorities have set up a family assistance center at the sheriff's substation at 2425 E. 12th Street in Oakland as a place for fire survivors and families to meet.

Deloach-Reed said that fire crews found a 'makeshift stairwell' between the first and second floor and that most people who died were on the second floor of the building.

She said that when fire crews first entered the building to fight the blaze, they were impeded by a massive amount of clutter that included furniture, art and several mannequins. 

Just last month city officials cited the owner of the warehouse and had launched an investigation into whether the interior structure was illegal. Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

Records show on November 13 a neighbor filed a complaint over a 'a ton of garbage piling up on the property' at 1305 31st Ave. Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

The next day the city launched an investigation into an illegal interior building structure, but the status of that investigation is unknown. Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district and lives a block from where the fire occurred, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the building 'has been an issue for a number of years.' Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

'It filled end to end with furniture, whatnot, collections,' Deloach-Reed said. 'It was like a maze almost.' 

Just last month city officials cited the owner of the warehouse and had launched an investigation into whether the interior structure was illegal, records show.   

According to The East Bay Times, records show on November 13 a neighbor filed a complaint over a 'a ton of garbage piling up on the property' at 1305 31st Ave.

'Also, a lot of items are left on the sidewalk near the property,' the complaint said. 

'Some of trash was hazardous. This property is a storage but the owner turned it to become trash recycle site. 

'The yard became a trash collection site and the main building was remodel for residential. The change causes our neighborhood looks very bad and creates health issue.'

The next day the city launched an investigation into an illegal interior building structure, but the status of that investigation is unknown.  

Property records list the owner as Chor N. Ng and that he purchased the warehouse in 1997. He also owns other properties in the city. 

Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district and lives a block from where the fire occurred, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the building 'has been an issue for a number of years.'

'People have been living inside, and the neighbors have complained about it,' he said. 

'Some of these young people that were in there were underage. They frequently had parties there.'

Saya Tomioka posted on the event page for the party saying she was looking for Griffin Madden (above) who is believed to be missing as no one has heard from him 

Edmond Lapine (left) and Donna Kellogg (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Johnny Igaz (left) and Micah Danemayer (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Jalien Adrian (left) and Barrett Clark (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Hanna Henriikka Ruax (left) and Alex Ghassan (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Denalda Nicole Renae (left) and Alexander Archuleta (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

The post above from the Facebook page says 17-year-old Draven McGill is missing and asks for anyone who may have spotted him to let the family know

Between 50 to 100 people were at the party which started at 9pm and was supposed to last until 4am, officials say. 

The party featured numerous electronic musicians, performers and producers as well as visual projections, the Facebook page for the event states.

'SECRET EAST OAKLAND LOCATION ANNOUNCED DAY OF SHOW,' the page said. 

More than 200 people had responded to say they would attend the event, but it's unclear if that many people were at the party.  

In terms of efforts of party-goers trying to flee or firefighters trying to rescue people, Deloach-Reed said, 'We know it was going to be difficult if it started anywhere near that stairwell.' 

A man who only gave his name as John said at the time of the blaze he was working at the door, since he was one of the organizers of the event, the Chronicle reported. 

He said that the fire appeared to start on the ground floor and went up, and that he was able to escape the building because he was near the exit.  

'I watched that building burn for five hours,' he said. 'And those people didn't walk out.' 

Jennifer (Kiyomi) Tanouye (left) and Cash Askew (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

 Ara Jo (left) and Chelsea Faith (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Jonathan Bernbaum (left) and Feral Pines (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Caw Charleston (left) and Jessi Canz (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Alameda County Sheriffs Office Sergeant J.D. Nelson told KTVU the coroner's office is preparing for 40 or more bodies, but no bodies have been removed from the building.

Deloach-Reed explained that a multiagency task force was being created to investigate the fire and begin the task of recovering victims inside.

'The building is a huge building,' Deloach-Reed said. 'There's going to have to be a methodical way we go about body recovery, and then also trying to find out where the fire started and how the fire's spread took place. ... We have not done a complete search of the building.'

Fifty-five firefighters battled the blaze at the scene, as crews found flames on three sides of the building located in the Fruitvale district of the city, Battalion Chief Lisa Baker told the East Bay Times.  

Naomi Riches (left) and Michela Gregory (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

David Cline (left) and Nick Gomez-Hall (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

 Nex Iuguolo (left) and musician Alana Kane (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Peter Wadsworth (above) is thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about his whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Musician Amanda Allen (left) and musician Joseph Matlock (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

An aggressive attack on the fire was underway when conditions suddenly changed and firefighters had to go back outside. 

Officials say it took an estimated four hours to bring the huge blaze under control.

Firefighters are still at the scene along with police who are investigating what happened. International Boulevard is closed between Derby and Fruitvale avenues. 

Terry Lightfoot, a representative of Oakland's Highland Hospital, told CNN that 'the hospital received two patients and one of them has been discharged. Lightfoot did not know the condition of the patient who remained hospitalized.'  

The destroyed building is known as The Oakland Ghost Ship, as authorities say fire fighters had a difficult time getting inside due to massive amounts of clutter. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

Deloach-Reed said that fire crews found a 'makeshift stairwell' between the first and second floor and that most people who died were on the second floor of the building. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

Deloach-Reed said that when fire crews first entered the building to fight the blaze, they were impeded by a massive amount of clutter that included furniture, art and several mannequins. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

She said: 'It filled end to end with furniture, whatnot, collections,' Deloach-Reed said. 'It was like a maze almost.' The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

Sabrina May Dolan told DailyMail.com that her sister, Chelsea Faith, was performing at the party under her stage name Cherushii when the fire started on the second floor of the building. 

Dolan said she is standing by waiting for an update, as her sister still has not been located and cannot be reached.  

Numerous people have been posting on the event page on Facebook about who they believe is missing, as others have posted on the event page to say they are safe and escaped the fire unharmed. 

'It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there,' Bob Mule, a photographer and artist who lives at the building and suffered minor burns, told the Times. 

'I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldn't get the fire extinguisher to work.' 

Officials say between 50 to 100 people were in the building for the party when the fire started around 11:30pm PT

Fifty-five firefighters battled the blaze at the scene, as crews found flames on three sides of the building, Battalion Chief Lisa Baker told the East Bay Times

Numerous people have been posting on the event page on Facebook about who they believe is missing

Mule was able to make it out of the building that was engulfed in a matter of minutes.  

It's unclear how the fire started, as it's believed an artists' collective that is adjacent to the warehouse was also engulfed in flames. No firefighters were injured.

Oakland police said those who were concerned about missing people in the fire should contact the Alameda County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau 510-382-3000. 

The electronic music label, 100% Silk, that hosted the party issued a statement offering up resources for friends and family of the victims.  

'What happened in Oakland is an unbelievable tragedy, a nightmare scenario. Britt and I are beside ourselves, utterly devastated,' the statement shared to Facebook reads. 

'We are a very tight community of artists and we are all praying, sending love and condolences to everyone involved and their families.

'Thank you for everyone who's been reaching out, we are hoping so hard for the best. We will be posting here on how you can help, and any information as it comes to us.' 

The electronic music label, 100% Silk, that hosted the party issued a statement (above) offering up resources for friends and family of the victims

Other people have posted on the event page to say they are safe and escaped the horrific fire unharmed

As of 4:20am PT, the fire was not officially under control, as smoke was still coming from an upper floor in the building. It took firefighters four hours to put the blaze out

Some Facebook users commenting on a post about those who have been reported missing by family or friends have shared their experiences at The Oakland Ghost Ship and how it apparently was disorganized by the clutter

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf released a statement late Saturday morning: 'Last night's fire was an immense tragedy. I am grateful to our first responders for their efforts to deal with this deadly fire. 

'Our focus right now is on the victims and their families and ensuring that we have a full accounting for everyone who was impacted by this tragedy. 

'We are fully committed to sharing as much information as we can as quickly as possible.' 

Oakland Vice Mayor Annie Campbell Washington said: 'This is a huge tragedy for Oakland, such a deep loss of life last night.

'This is being reported as the worst structure fire in Oakland and I'm here to express my deepest condolences.'

Some Facebook users commenting on a post about those who have been reported missing by family or friends have shared their experiences at The Oakland Ghost Ship and how it apparently was disorganized by the clutter.  

George Goatmandan Weber said on Facebook: 'This was the nightmare I always had about hazmat. I spent alotta (sic) time planning escape routes from that sh******.' 

Another user, Kristen Parks, replied back to him about how 'narrow' walkways were inside the building.   

'yes (sic) true no windows too. I remember this (sic) place being super scary escape wise with wood everywhere and narrow walkways'.

It's unclear how the fire started and arson investigators have been called to the scene