Jersey City Man Still Missing From Oakland Blaze, Family Braces For What's Next
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The family of a Jersey City man still missing from the fatal fire in a converted Oakland warehouse Friday continues to pray for a positive outcome.
Alex Ghassan's aunt, Julie Moscova, is prepared for whatever happens.
"If he is alive, that would be a blessing," she said. "But if not, then we have to accept that too."
Alex, 35, recently moved from Jersey City to Oakland. He was at the Ghost Ship Warehouse party Friday night with his fiance. He posted a video on Instagram that appears to have been taken at a party inside the warehouse before the fire broke out Friday night.
He captioned the post, "Oakland reminds me of Jersey City so much sometimes."
Moscova said that she doesn't know for certain if Alex is dead or alive, but can't escape what her heart keeps telling her. She told CBS2's Scott Rapoport that she doesn't want to believe he's gone, but it's a possibility.
She describes her nephew, a film producer and director, as bright, fiercely independent, and caring.
"He was my heart, you know," she said.
According to Moscova, Alex has twin daughters who live with their mother in Hoboken. They aren't aware of what may have happened to their dad just yet.
The death toll from Friday night's fire climbed to 36 on Monday with more bodies still feared buried in the rubble.