District Legal professional Darcel Clark (far left) and Borough President Vanessa Gibson (left) joined others on the third anniversary of the Twin Parks residence hearth that killed 17 individuals on Jan. 9, 2022.
Picture by Emily Swanson
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Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted a remembrance ceremony at borough corridor on Thursday to mark the third anniversary of the Twin Parks residence hearth, which claimed the lives of 17 residents. Gibson, together with different elected officers and victims’ relations, laid a wreath adorned with blue, purple, and inexperienced flowers to honor the victims, most of whom have been of Gambian heritage.
Individuals on the ceremony mirrored on the tragic Jan. 9, 2022, hearth at 333 East 181st St. in Fordham Heights, town’s deadliest since 1990. The blaze, attributable to an overworked house heater, unfold shortly as a result of malfunctioning self-closing doorways within the 19-story constructing, turning it into a large chimney. Based on reviews, most victims succumbed to smoke inhalation relatively than the flames.
“Three years ago, our lives forever changed in the borough of the Bronx,” mentioned Gibson, who had taken workplace lower than per week earlier than the hearth. “Three years later, we will never forget.”
Even the day’s bitterly chilly climate gave the impression to be in remembrance of the hearth, which additionally occurred on a transparent, freezing day, mentioned District Legal professional Darcel Clark. Three years in the past, she was with Gibson once they each obtained the decision concerning the five-alarm blaze. Being onsite to take care of victims and survivors was an unforgettable expertise, Clark mentioned. “That is my family. That is your family.”
Eight kids have been among the many 17 victims, most of whom have been of Gambian heritage. On the memorial, Gibson learn the names of all who died, which included three members of Hadji Dukure’s household.
In a short speech, Dukure mentioned the assist of elected officers was considered one of few blessings to come back from the Twin Parks tragedy. “These leaders are true leaders,” he mentioned, transferring Clark to tears together with his phrases. “When these [TV] cameras are not there, they’re there with us.”
A wreath within the colours of the Gambian flag was laid at Borough Corridor on Jan. 9, 2025, in reminiscence of the Twin Parks hearth victims. Picture by Emily Swanson
Gibson highlighted that one optimistic end result of the tragedy was the strengthened relationships amongst neighborhood members, first responders, metropolis emergency administration, and elected officers. She emphasised that these connections are important for honoring the reminiscence of Twin Parks and dealing to stop future tragedies.
She additionally confused the significance of not solely remembering the victims however acknowledging the a whole lot of survivors who proceed to stay with the trauma of that day. Gibson famous the widespread worry that prolonged far past the Bronx, serving as a stark reminder {that a} catastrophe like Twin Parks may occur anyplace.
As dozens of lawsuits in opposition to the Twin Parks possession group proceed to make their approach by the courts, security laws aimed toward stopping and investigating residential fires has moved comparatively shortly.
In December 2022, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres launched a bipartisan invoice that was signed into regulation, granting the U.S. Fireplace Administrator the authority to conduct on-site investigations of main fires and challenge detailed reviews on their findings. Previous to President Biden signing the invoice, solely native hearth authorities had this energy.
On the native degree, the Metropolis Council handed a bundle of payments in Could 2022 to impose stricter penalties for defective self-closing doorways; make sure that solely secure house heaters are bought in New York; enhance the frequency of constructing inspections; and bolster FDNY outreach and training efforts.
Along with the Borough Corridor memorial, a Muslim vigil will likely be held tonight at Masjid-Ar-Rahman at 2252 Webster Avenue.
