FORDHAM HEIGHTS, The Bronx (WABC) — Memorial services were being held Friday to mark four years since the deadly high-rise apartment building fire in the Bronx that claimed the lives of 17 people.
The fire broke out on Jan. 9 of 2022 at the 19-story Twin Parks North West apartment building in the Tremont section.
The tragedy had an everlasting impact on the Gambian community in the Bronx.
The emotional trauma is the obvious but beyond that, the fire displaced so many of them.
For decades, Twin Parks North West was the first American home for many members of the Gambian community, but after the tragedy, many survivors moved away, haunted by what happened.
To commemorate the day, elected officials, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, held a wreath-laying ceremony Friday afternoon to honor the 17 lives lost, including eight children.
Meanwhile, Mayor Zohran Mamdani was attending a remembrance ceremony and prayer vigil near the apartment building on Friday evening.
There were some who lost five members of one family when the fire, started by space heaters, spread when stairwell doors didn’t close properly on that frigid day four years ago.
Congressmember Ritchie Torres spoke to Eyewitness News on his way into this prayer service.
He says this tragedy is about much more than space heaters and fire safety.
The congressmember went on to say that the four worst fires in this city were all in the Bronx, and that he says is no coincidence.
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