A Coronado man killed in a devastating Oakland warehouse fire on Friday was remembered as a talented, kind soul and a friend to all.
Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, a 2009 Coronado High School graduate, was identified Sunday as one of the victims in the fire. Dozens were killed when the warehouse went up in flames Friday evening during an electronic music festival.
When officials released the first round of identities of those killed, friends of Gomez-Hall paid tribute to him on social media, calling him an "incredible gift" and a "creative soul."
Coronado High School Principal Jennifer Moore issued a statement early Monday.
"Nick was wise, witty, talented, and incredibly kind and a friend to all," Moore said.
"He was the type of student who seemed like a fellow adult when he would stop by his teachers' classrooms and counselors' and administrators' offices to chat about art, politics, history, literature, and life, as he often did. He was masterful in his ability to connect with others," she said.
The principal said Gomez-Hall graduated from Brown University and was pursuing music and journalism.
Gomez-Hall was on the Coronado High School Sailing Team for all four years, and was well known and liked at the Coronado Yacht Club.
"I feel like I was a mentor to Nick, and I was in charge of the high school sailing team here in Coronado. My son Pike Harris, was one of his best friends and they sailed together," Gomez-Hall's high school sailing coach, Scott Harris, tells NBC 7.
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"I want to cry right now because at first you're shocked, now it's setting in and it's going to be a real tragedy for the whole town."
Harris says Gomez-Hall was one of the sweetest smartest kids he'd ever met.
"We sailed all around southern California. We traveled all around California and had some really great, great experiences," he added.
At the time of his death, Gomez-Hall was working in the Bay Area in Berkeley at Counterpoint Press.
On the company's Facebook page, they said they are devastated by the loss of their dear friend and co-worker, adding that they considered him family.
Moore said Gomez-Hall has two siblings - brothers Diego and Mario - who also graduated from CHS.
[NATL]Fire Rips Through Oakland Warehouse, Killing Dozens
The victims were attending an electronic music festival inside the warehouse when it went up in flames Friday night.
Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said there was no evidence of smoke alarms or sprinklers at the now-destroyed building. Further, its charred roof collapsed onto the second floor, which in places plunged onto the first floor.
Many organizations in the Bay Area are reaching out to help the victims of the fire. If you would like to donate, click here.
