|
Listen to this article here
|
Sign-Up for a free subscription to The Black Wall Street Times‘ daily newsletter, Black Editors’ Edition (BEE) – our curated news selections & opinions by us for you.
Rapper Cardi B has vowed to pay for the funeral expenses of each victim from a deadly Bronx, NY fire after 17 people lost their lives.
The famed rapper, a native of the Bronx, stated, “I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal.”
Meanwhile, the state of New York has also announced a victim’s fund that will be provided with $2 million dollars to start. The fund will provide for the victims’ family members.
The fire, which occurred on Sunday, January 9, 2022, claimed the lives of 17 people in an apartment complex. All of the victims died from smoke inhalation. Ultimately, the fire started from an electric space heater that had been running for several days.
Children among the victims
The apartment where the space heater was running allegedly had its doors open. It allowed the fire to spread rapidly throughout the 19-floor building.
Eight of the victims of the deadly fire were children, including a 2-year-old boy, two 5-year-old girls and a 6-year-old boy. Many of the deceased were from The Gambia in West Africa.
Later, Mayor Eric Adams thanked Cardi B for her generosity in providing for the victims.
“We are grateful for Cardi B, a real superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to families of the victims,” Adams said. “The city will be forever thankful to her and also to the grassroots donors and corporate partners who have been able to offer immediate support for our neighbors in need, to reestablish themselves during this difficult time.”
Lawsuit pending
Meanwhile, investigators have vowed to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
The Department of Housing Preservation in New York City noted several issues prior to the fire. There were several heat-related allegations and one complaint about a defective self-closing door in the complex.
The victims’ families, as well as building tenants, have filed a $2 billion class-action lawsuit. It names the building owners as defendants. The lawsuit notes that the building owners failed to provide fire-suppression efforts within the complex.