The Ghost Ship Tragedy

Out in the Bay Area, a tragedy occurred that shook-up the West Coast. A warehouse used by artists caught fire and burned down during a rave. Nearly 40 people lost their lives. They haven't been able to recover all the bodies yet because the structure is unsound. and many bodies remain in the rubble.

Unlike most of the press, I'm not surprised that people lived in squalor conditions in the building or that it wasn't up to code. For starters, most of the Bay Area is being squeezed out of their homes by the tech industry and people are scrambling to find affordable living wherever they can. For artists, it is even more of a challenge as they typically live on the bottom of the economic ladder.

A grieving parent

I've been in dozens of warehouses and artist lofts myself. In fact, just had a business meeting in one a couple weeks ago. They are often great places to work and stay. They afford a space to be creative.

I thought I would share these photos that have been published online - mostly at the San Francisco Chronicle - because they struck a chord with me. This could've been anyone of us. That in itself is worthy of a moment of reflection and a measure of empathy.

Two residents who survived

The ruins from above

A man collapses after being informed by an emergency worker

One of the victims, a musician, in a promo shot for an interview earlier this year

A victim

A victim

A tribute left at the scene

A victim