The Oakland warehouse where at least 36 people lost their lives, was home to a local San Diego musician.
The 25-year old survived the fire, but for hours he watched helplessly as his home went up in flames.
On Tuesday, NBC 7 spoke with the musician’s mother who said he grew up in Lemon Grove and then moved to Temecula where he attended Chaparral High School. For the last year and a half, the Oakland warehouse was his home.
“He is coping, he’s doing what he can,” says Laurie Laskme, as she holds back tears. "My son was so close to…not being here, but he's here, so it's a very emotionally hard to deal with.”
When the fire first broke out, the young musician was outside. He ran back in though, when he heard people screaming for help. But surrounded by so much thick, black smoke, it became impossible to help, his mother said..
“When they knew there was no more time to help anybody get out, three of them got stuck in the doorway,” says Laskme. “Thank goodness, they were able to get themselves free and get out of the building. They watched the place burn down until six in the morning.”
Ever since the fire, Laksme has been constantly checking her phone, getting updates from her son and making sure he's doing okay. She admits that her son is still haunted by the sounds of the fire.
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“One of their dear good friends had fallen and had broken his ankle, and they could not get to him. He's going through a lot in his mind because of everything that he heard,” says Laskme.
The warehouse called ‘The Ghost Ship’ is described as much more than a mere structure. It was a space where, ironically artists felt safe. It provided the group of young artists a site where they could work on their projects and music within a creative and affordable environment.
“It’s easy for people to judge and throw out negative comments,” says Laksme. “I can tell you this place was special. I visited twice. It was a living, breathing warehouse. A group of survivors are sticking together and going through this together.”
As part of his grieving process, the Chaparral High graduate is leaning on his writing and his music to help him get through the devastating loss of life, his mother told NBC 7.
In a letter he writes: “I can see the colors, skin and backdrop of the times I shared with my friends. It’s a very difficult burden for us to bare...all of us send all the love and respect to everyone involved."
Another local man, 25-year old Nick Gomez-Hall, did not survive the fire.
