International singer and rapper; Cardi B has promised to pay for the funeral costs of those who died in the tragic fire incident that happened in her hometown of ‘The Bronx’.
The mother of two felt she “needed to do something” when she heard about the apartment block fire which claimed the lives of 17 people on Sunday and hopes that footing the funeral bills will help families as they “move forward and heal.”
The victims, eight children, and nine adults came from a tight-knit community of West African immigrants.
In a statement posted on Instagram stories, the emotional rapper: “I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help. 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.”
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The ‘WAP’ hitmaker – who was raised in the Highbridge neighborhood of the South Bronx before making it big in music – then went on to send her condolences to those affected by the incident.
Cardi B continued: “I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”
According to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), the 17 victims that died from the fire in a Bronx apartment building died of smoke inhalation.
The manner of death was determined to be an accident for them all, said OCME director of public affairs Julie Bolcer.
Officials believe that the fire – which was the city’s deadliest in over 30 years – was sparked by a faulty space heater.
Cardi will also meet the cost of repatriation for the victims who were originally from the Gambia so that the families can bury them in their homeland, according to a statement made by the City Hall in the capital of the West African country.
It said: “The Grammy Award-winning artist has committed to paying costs, including repatriation expenses for some victims buried in The Gambia, through the Mayor’s Fund’s Bronx Fire Relief Fund.”
Police released a full list of their names and ages:
Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, female; Foutmala Drammeh, 21, female; Muhammed Drammeh, 12, male; Nyumaaisha Drammeh, 19, female; Haji Dukary, 49, male; Fatoumata Dukureh, 5, female; Haja Dukureh, 37, female; Mariam Dukureh, 11, female; Mustapha Dukureh, 12, male; Omar Jambang, 6, male; Sera Janneh, 27, female; Haouwa Mahamadou, 5, female; Seydou Toure, 12, male; Fatoumata Tunkara, 43, female; Isatou Jabbie, 31, female; Hagi Jawara, 47, male; Ousmane Konteh, 2, male.
May their souls rest in peace, Amen.
