Airbnb is banning "party houses" after a deadly shooting at a Halloween party in California.

Five people were killed at a Halloween party in a suburb of San Francisco earlier this week. There were said to be about 100 people at the event.

Local police chief David Cook the number of people in the house meant officers arrived to a “very chaotic scene” after the first shots were fired.

Airbnb said it will take steps to “combat unauthorised parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct.”

Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky said: “What happened on Thursday night in Orinda was horrible.”

“I feel for the families and neighbours impacted by this tragedy. We are working to support them.

“Starting today, we are banning 'party houses' and we are redoubling our efforts to combat unauthorised parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct, including conduct that leads to the terrible events we saw in Orinda.

“Here is what we are doing: First, we are expanding manual screening of high-risk reservations flagged by our risk detection technology.

“Second, we are creating a dedicated 'party house' rapid response team.

“Third, we are taking immediate action against users who violate these enhanced guest policies, including removal.”

The Associated Press reports that the woman who rented the home said she was escaping the California wildfires with her family.

It said the home-owner found the one-night booking suspicious and warned her that parties were not allowed.

He called the police after neighbours complained of the noise; however, the shooting had already occurred.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said the five victims were 19-year-old Oshiana Tompkins of Vallejo; 22-year-old Tiyon Farley of Antioch; 24-year-old Omar Taylor of Pittsburg; 23-year-old Ramon Hill Jr of San Francisco/Oakland and 29-year-old Javin County of Sausalito/Richmond.