The city of Oakland, Calif., has agreed to pay nearly $33 million to settle lawsuits filed on behalf of the victims of a fire that killed 36 people in a two-story converted warehouse in 2016. The families of 32 of the victims who died when flames consumed the structure, which housed an artist collective known as the Ghost Ship, will receive $23.5 million, the city said in a statement. A survivor, Sam Maxwell, who the city said lives “with severe, lifelong injuries and major medical expenses,” will receive $9.2 million. The blaze, on Dec. 2, 2016, was one of the worst structure fires in recent U.S. history. People had gathered on the second floor of the warehouse for an electronic music dance party when the fire started.

Source: New York Times July 18, 2020 19:47 UTC