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The California Report

VIDEO: Mourners Gather at Candlelight Vigil to Honor Victims of Oakland Fire

Brittany Hosea-SmallAdam Grossberg
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Hundreds of people holding candles and flowers gathered at Lake Merritt in Oakland Monday night to honor the 36 victims of a fire that tore through the Ghost Ship warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on Dec. 2. Mourners in the crowd embraced each other or held up candles as they said aloud the names of those lost in the blaze.

Several people in the crowd held signs offering "free hugs."

"We have to pull closer together," said Tex Allen, who was holding a "hugs here" sign. "There's no choice but to bombard this situation with love."

Here are some photos from the vigil honoring those lost in the most lethal building fire in the U.S. in more than a decade.

Kelly Whalen and Isara Krieger contributed to the video above.

Parents and children lit candles during the vigil in honor of those lost in the fire.
Parents and children light candles during the vigil in honor of those lost in the fire. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Holi Barahati lights a candle during the candlelight vigil at Lake Merritt on Tuesday, December 5, 2016 in Oakland California. Barahati lost three friends in the Ghost Ship fire. “I’m just still processing,” say Barahati.
Holi Barahati lights a candle during the candlelight vigil at Lake Merritt on  Dec. 5, 2016. Barahati lost three friends in the Ghost Ship fire. 'I’m just still processing,' Barahati said. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Candles are laid out next columns at the Lake Merritt Pergola during the candle light vigil in memory of those lost in the Oakland Ghost Ship fire.
Candles stand next to columns at the Lake Merritt Pergola. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Mourners share candle flames during the vigil at Lake Merritt in honor of the victims of the Oakland warehouse fire on December 2.
Mourners share candle flames during the vigil in honor of the victims. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
A mourner protects a candle-flame from the elements during a candle light vigil at Lake Merritt on December 5, 2016.
A mourner protects a candle flame from the elements. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Whitney (left) and Simi console each other during the candlelight vigil in Oakland in honor of the victims of the Oakland Ghost Ship fire.
Whitney (left) and Simi (right) console each other during the candlelight vigil at Oakland's Lake Merritt. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Some mourners carried large fabric-wrapped crosses with pictures of the Oakland fire victims on them.
Some mourners carried large fabric-wrapped crosses with pictures of the Oakland fire victims on them. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Tex Allen attended the vigil holding a free hugs sign in an effort to comfort those attending.
Tex Allen attended the vigil holding a free hugs sign in an effort to comfort those attending. 'A hug is the most immediate human contact, loving, compassionate, direct connection thing you can do when you're hurting,' Allen said. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Hundreds attended the Lake Merritt candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the Oakland warehouse fire that occurred on December 2, 2016.
Hundreds attended the Lake Merritt candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the Oakland warehouse fire that killed 36 people on Dec. 2, 2016. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Several mourners hold candles at a vigil for the victims of the Oakland fire.
Several mourners hold candles at a vigil for the victims of the Oakland fire. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Small drawings were left at the memorial, tucked among candles and flowers.
Small drawings were left at the memorial, tucked among candles and flowers. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Several members of the community spoke at the vigil about those who where lost and the current state of the Oakland community.
Several members of the community spoke at the vigil about those who were lost and the current state of the Oakland community. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)
Candles were laid out along the edge of Lake Merritt during the vigil, while flower were tucked into chain railings and layered among the candles.
Candles were laid out along the edge of Lake Merritt during the vigil, while flowers were tucked into chain railings and layered among the candles. (Brittany Hosea-Small/KQED)

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