Peet’s Coffee worker who died in Oakland roof collapse was a 17-year-old employee

A former employee at a Peet’s Coffee distribution center in Oakland was killed and another worker was injured when a warehouse roof partially collapsed early Friday morning.

The man who died was identified as 58-year-old Martin Gonzalez of Oakland, who had worked for the company for 17 years. according to ABC 7.

The second employee, a woman, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, an Oakland Fire Department spokesperson told The Times.

Fire crews responded to the warehouse in the 600 block of 85th Avenue shortly after 3 a.m. Friday. according the Fire Department. González was among the few employees in the building at the time.

As the distribution leader, he arrived about an hour before the other employees to get ready for the day. Had the accident occurred hours later, more people would likely have been seriously injured, the Fire Department spokesman said.

The roof collapse was contained in an area approximately 30 by 30 feet. The building has been red tagged.

Authorities have not directly linked the collapse to storms that have caused widespread damage and flooding in Northern California, but were investigating that as a possible cause.

Peet said in a statement: “we are all devastated for this tragedy” and described Gonzalez as “a beloved part of the Peet family.”

Times staff writer Jessica Garrison contributed to this report.