With prayers, flowers and a new street sign, people gathered Monday for a somber ceremony to mark the anniversary of one of the deadliest fires in New York City's history.
Together, a tightly-knit Bronx community raised a new street sign, 17 Abdoulie Tourway Way, honoring the first Gambian immigrant to call the Fordham Heights neighborhood home.
The number 17 remembers the number of lives lost last year in the Twin Parks building fire on East 181st Street. Many who died in the fire were immigrants from Gambia and other West African countries.
More than 60 people were injured and dozens were displaced from the 19-story complex. Their pain is still understandably raw.
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Bronx Fire
Idrissa Drammeh is one of the many community members still reeling from the loses. The fire claimed four members of his family.
"Anytime we think about it, it seems like it happened today. This couldn’t go away," Drammeh said.
Authorities said a malfunctioning electric space heater started the blaze, and a door left open allowed smoke to spread throughout the building.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said that while changes have been made since the deadly fire, more is needed.
"This was due to lack of proper affordable housing. Until we take away the profit that people make by providing unacceptable housing, trying to feel with a housing crisis, this will continue to happen," Williams said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law back in December that requires space heaters sold in the state to have a thermostat, include an automatic shutdown and be certified.
The head of the U.S. Fire Administration will be in NYC on Tuesday to unveil a new national strategy to fight "America's fire problem," that includes training, implementing and enforcing codes and standards.
