Manager of burned warehouse apologizes to victims’ families

The manager of the Oakland, Calif., warehouse destroyed in a fire that killed 36 people Friday night went on national television this morning to apologize for the tragedy. Derick Almena told Today show host Matt Lauer he would rather “get on the floor and be trampled by the parents” of those who died than answer questions about what happened, including about the possible criminal charges he faces. “I’m so sorry,” Almena said. “I’m incredibly sorry.” Almena and his partner, Micah Allison, ran an artist collective in the warehouse known as the “Ghost Ship,” which wasn’t zoned for residential use. The building frequently hosted parties like the one on Friday night. Officials don’t yet know what caused the blaze, the most deadly in the United States in more than a decade, but local building inspectors had opened an investigation into conditions at the site about a month ago. Some residents complained about the building, accusing Almena of failing to make necessary repairs.