Philly moving to prevent warehouse fires like Oakland’s here

Philadelphia is working to make sure a devastating fire on the West Coast doesn’t happen here. 

In the wake of a weekend fire in Oakland, California, that has killed at least 36, Mayor Jim Kenney said he has spoken to city Licenses and Inspections Commissioner David Perri to look for warehouses that are being converted to other uses without adding emergency exits.

“He said the big problem, generally, is nightclubs that pop up,” Kenney said. “People need to be vigilant … if this kind of activity happens in your neighborhood, you have to report that.”

Kenney said Philadelphia officials are going through records to make sure the city has no buildings similar to the one that burned in Oakland during a dance party late Friday night.

“They are talking with our inspectors to see that those things are looked at and are safe,” Kenney said

If someone sees a nightclub situation in a warehouse, they should report it to 311, he said.