Defense seeks to shift blame for warehouse fire

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A defense attorney is expected to counter a prosecutor's emotional opening statement by attempting to deflect blame from his client charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a Northern California warehouse fire that killed three dozen people.

Derick Almena, 49, rented the Oakland warehouse and is accused of illegally converting it into an unlicensed living space and entertainment venue lacking fire prevention equipment like sprinklers and smoke detectors. The Dec. 2, 2016, fire killed 36 people.

Almena's attorney Tony Serra says he will tell the jury Wednesday that others, including Oakland's fire and building departments, are to blame for the fire for failing to inspect the warehouse annually as required by city law.

A prosecutor on Tuesday painted an emotional and dramatic picture of three dozen partygoers dying in a fast-moving fire during an unpermitted concert.

Alameda County prosecutor Casey Bates recounted for the jury a survivor's harrowing tale of mass panic and chaos as choking smoke, zero visibility and a raging fire engulfed the Oakland warehouse illegally converted into a residence and entertainment venue.

Bates said the survivor plans to testify that he lived by jumping through a second-story window while the majority of attendees couldn't find exits in time.

Derick Almena, 49, and Max Harris, 29, have been jailed since their arrest in June 2017. Prosecutors say Almena rented the warehouse and Harris acted as "creative director," helping book concerts and collect rent.

The two defendants are accused of failing to provide adequate safety equipment, exits and signage.

A fire alarm went off that night but no one heard it, Bates said, adding that the warehouse lacked sprinklers to slow the blaze so people...