OAKLAND (KRON) — A former tenant of the “Ghost Ship” warehouse where a massive fire killed at least 36 people called the place a “death trap.”

Shelley Mack says this could all have been avoided if they would have listened to her.

Mack not only complained to the Ghost Ship operator Derick Ion but she also called police to report the conditions at the illegal residence.

“I was not shocked that [the fire] happened. I was saddened that so many people had to die for the truth to come out.”

Mack says didn’t know it was illegal until after she moved in. She had found the rental on Facebook and paid about $700 a month to live there with about 10 to 20 other people. She says she was instructed to tell visitors it was a 24-hour workspace for artists.

“If you didn’t go along with what they said…they would turn the heat off, block you from the bathroom, they would threaten your life. They would kick you out and take all your stuff,” Mack said. “The place was like a maze full of junk.

The building was crammed with rugs, old sofas and a garage-sale-like collection of pianos, paintings, turntables, statues and other items that quickly fed the flames.

“All kinds of electrical cords running through there illegally. Massive extension cords. Heavy musical equipment,” Mack said. “That place was just a death trap. I didn’t think it was going to last this long before it went up or somebody shut it down.”