Andrew Wyrich

Staff Writer @AndrewWyrich

OAKLAND, Calif. — A 35-year-old filmmaker who recently moved to the West Coast from Jersey City was among those who died in the raging fire in an Oakland warehouse on Friday night, authorities confirmed.

Alex Ghassan, who produced and directed various film projects, was one of 10 people positively identified by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau late Monday night. Thirty-six people died in the fire, authorities said, and 22 victims have been identified so far.

The fire, which raced through a warehouse in East Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood during a concert that drew dozens of partygoers, is one of the most deadly in recent memory.

City officials said the first floor of the warehouse, which had been called "Ghost Ship," was converted into a impromptu and unlicensed artist studio and living space. The second floor of the building was an open area used for concerts and parties. Only one small staircase provided a way down to the first floor.

Authorities are still determining the cause of the fire.

Ghassan, the father of twins, was a filmmaker who had been working in California as a contributing documentary producer for PBS affiliate KQED in San Francisco, according to his website. During his time as a filmmaker, Ghassan worked with several celebrities — including Spike Lee — and several hip-hop labels. He also had a commission from the Oakland Museum to direct three short films for an art installation.

Shortly before the fire, Ghassan posted a video on Instagram that appears to be from the "Ghost Ship" warehouse. Slow ambient movement plays in the background of the Instagram video and several people are chatting. Ghassan wrote "Oakland reminds me of #JerseyCity so much at times."

As news spread about the raging fire, dozens of Ghassan's friends and family began reaching out to him by commenting on his post.

"Where are you, Alex?! Please say something soon! Please!" one friend wrote.

Another friend posted: "Alex! Please be ok. I love ya! Prayers to you and the girls."

Vikram Babu, 35, was a friend of Ghassan's. Babu said he was supposed to be at the venue on Friday night, but was late because he got the wrong address from a Facebook invitation. As he began seeing social media posts about the fire, Babu reached another friend who had just escaped the building.

“I called him, asked him, ‘Is this for real?’ ” Babu told USA TODAY. “And he said ‘Don’t come. It’s terrible.’ ”

Babu told The New York Post that Ghassan was "arguing" with him about being late for the show.

“I was texting with him right before it happened,” Babu told The Post.

A YouCaring.com — a crowd-sourced fundraising website — page for victims and victim's families has been established.

This article contains material from USA Today.

Email: wyrich@northjersey.com Twitter: @AndrewWyrich