For neighbors near warehouse fire, an outpouring of sympathy for strangers in their midst

Elias Nolasco, left, 39, of Oakland stands near the site of the warehouse fire as poet Alfred Hayes, right, 69, of Oakland, walks to his dentist appointment in Oakland on Wedneday. Residents described Fruitvale, situated in the flats south of downtown between two freeways, as a largely Latino district of working-class families and small shops.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 7, 2016 12:57 PM PT

For neighbors near warehouse fire, an outpouring of sympathy for strangers in their midst

A BART train runs through Fruitvale, situated in the flats south of downtown between two freeways, a largely Latino district of working-class families and small shops.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

An aerial view of the warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A view of San Francisco from the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, near the charred and gutted Ghost Ship warehouse.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Jacob Ramirez, 4, left, looks on while his grandmother Eva Ramirez, 52, consoles Hillary Morse, 22, right, of Oakland near the site of the warehouse fire.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A woman walks walks with children near the corner of International Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Residents described Fruitvale, situated in the flats south of downtown between two freeways, as a largely Latino district of working-class families and small shops.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)