BY DEAN MOSES
The victims of New York City’s
deadliest fi re in three decades
were laid to rest on Jan. 16 in
a heart-rending ceremony.
Thousands attempted to
pay their respects Sunday
to 15 of the 17 lives lost in
the Twin Parks North West
blaze. However, the Islamic
Cultural Center of the Bronx
— located at 137 East 166th
St. — was overrun with good
intentions that created a chaotic
situation.
What was scheduled to
be a solemn service of refl ection
descended into disarray
as hundreds of mourners attempted
to gain access to the
mosque, and thousands of
others lined the streets in the
freezing temperatures to pay
their respects.
Mourners yelled and
pressed their faces to the center’s
windows as they battled
to catch a glimpse of a service
designed for family members
and special dignitaries
such as Mayor Eric Adams.
The overwhelming situation
prompted EMS to be called
and police to request reinforcements.
Just one week ago, among
the fi re’s casualties were eight
children and nine adults, who
FDNY offi cials said perished
in the fi re, which was sparked
by a faulty space heater that
produced thick, suffocating
smoke that spread throughout
the 19-story structure. It
is also still under investigation
if a faulty self-closing
door allowed heavy smoke to
spread, contributing to the
large number of casualties.
The imams at the Islamic
Cultural Center noted that
this prayer service was held
to help the families and community
mourn those who
perished in the fi re, and as a
vocal reminder that such a
tragedy should never befall
tenants again.
Islamic tradition dictates
burials should occur the
same day, if not very soon after
a person’s death; however,
the sheer number of casualties
of the Bronx fi re and the
task of identifying the victims
– some were whole family
units — took quite some
time.
Debates raged whether to
hold burials in the victims’
native countries. The prayer
service underscored that
many of the victims hailed
from various parts of Africa.
Fifteen coffi ns, large and
small, were laid out along
the Islamic Cultural Center’s
fl oor in hopes of showcasing
Fifteen Bronx fi re victims
remembered at heartbreaking
the true horror of the fi re.
The message was clear: Don’t
allow this to happen again.
“We have an obligation to
be here for the family and allow
them to get the support
they need to get through this
period. You have my commitment
as the mayor, as
I’m joined here with my fellow
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 8 JAN. 21-27, 2022 BTR
colleagues in government,”
Mayor Adams said.
“The American dream for too
many burnt in that fi re. It is
our obligation to make sure
that dream remains alive for
all of us.”
The mayor joined with
religious leaders, dignitaries,
and elected offi cials such
Lieutenant Governor Brain
Benjamin, Senator Chuck
Schumer, and Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams to deliver
remarks at the funeral.
“We will be here with you
to make sure that this tragedy
never happens again and
we will make sure that all
the families, the 15 here and
the two who are not here, and
all the families who are impacted
by the fi re knows that
the state will stand up and
support them,” Benjamin
said at the mosque.
funeral service
Fifteen coffi ns were prayed over. Photos Dean Moses
Mayor Eric Adams vowed to support those impacted by the fi re.
Tears could not be contained.