After Oakland fire, families of the missing undergo agonizing wait

OAKLAND, Calif. (KABC) -- Family members of possible victims of the Oakland warehouse fire are undergoing an agonizing wait for confirmation that their missing loved ones have died.

Officials say at least 33 people died in the blaze at the artist collective known as Ghost Ship. They expect the death toll to rise as they continue sifting through the ashes.

So far, only eight victims have been positively identified. Officials have asked families of missing loved ones to collect items that may have their DNA, such as hairbrushes, to help in the identification of remains.

The list of confirmed dead includes:

- Cash Askew, 22, of Oakland.

-- David Cline, 24, of Oakland.

-- Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, of Coronado.

-- Sara Hoda, 30, of Walnut Creek.

-- Travis Hough, 35, of Oakland.

-- Donna Kellogg, 32, of Oakland.

-- Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32, of Hayward.

The eighth victim was a 17-year-old minor whose name was not released.

Cline was a University of California Berkeley graduate originally from Santa Monica. His brother Neil posted on Facebook: "To all of you, thank you. Thank you for your kindness, help and love. To David, we love you. You will be with us always."

Hough was an art therapist for inner-city kids. The last his girlfriend heard from him was a text just before 11:30 Friday night saying "baby, there's a fire."