Oakland Warehouse roof collapses causing a fatality

Fatal Roof Collapse at Oakland Warehouse Claims One Life, Injures Another

On March 10, 2023, a tragic incident occurred at an East Oakland warehouse that claimed one life and left another person injured. The incident happened when a portion of the roof at the warehouse collapsed around 3:20 a.m., causing the death of a man and injuring a woman. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, and it is unknown whether the incident was weather-related.

The warehouse, located in the 600 block of 85th Avenue, is a large distribution center, and one of its main occupants is Peet’s Coffee and Tea. However, it is yet to be determined whether the man killed and the injured woman worked at Peet's or another company within the warehouse.

Fire officials reported that the collapsed portion of the roof measured about 30-by-30 feet, representing only about 5 percent of the total roof area. A man working inside was brought outside before first responders arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman who was injured was taken to a hospital, and no other injuries were reported.

The building has been red-tagged, meaning it cannot be occupied for the time being. City structural engineers and representatives from Cal/OSHA also responded to the scene to investigate the cause of the collapse.

Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Chris Foley said on Friday morning that it was too early to say whether the incident was weather-related. He stated that the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

This tragic incident is a reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the need for regular building inspections to prevent accidents and fatalities. It also highlights the importance of following safety guidelines and protocols to prevent accidents in the workplace.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this tragedy. We also wish a quick and full recovery to the injured woman. We hope that the authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse and take measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.