The January 9, 2022, Bronx apartment fire at Twin Parks North West claimed 17 lives, including eight children, primarily from West African immigrant families who had built their lives in the Tremont section of the Bronx. This deadly fire represents one of New York City’s most devastating residential tragedies in recent decades, with all victims dying from severe smoke inhalation rather than burns.
In this article, you’ll learn about each victim’s background, their connections to the vibrant West African community in the Bronx, the community’s ongoing memorial efforts, and how their deaths sparked important conversations about fire safety in apartment buildings and holding those responsible for the tragedy.
Understanding the Bronx Fire Victims: Demographics and Backgrounds
Victim Demographics and Origins
The victims of the Bronx apartment fire ranged in age from 2 to 50 years old, representing multiple generations of families who had made the Twin Parks building their home. The majority were West African immigrants, particularly from Gambia, with additional victims from Niger and Mali. These families had established deep roots in the Bronx community, with some having lived in the building for several years.
Age breakdown of the victims:
- Eight children (ages 2-19)
- Nine adults (ages 27-50)
- Multiple family groups, including parents with their children
Community Connections
The victims were active members of their community, with strong connections to local institutions and organizations. Several families were regular attendees at Masjid-ur-Rahmah mosque, which served as a spiritual and social center for the West African Muslim community. The Gambian Youth Organization also played a crucial role in connecting families and providing cultural programming for children and young adults.
Among the adult victims were individuals working in essential roles throughout New York City, including home health aide positions and other service jobs that kept the city functioning. The children attended local schools where they were known as bright, engaged students with dreams for their futures.
Why Remembering the Bronx Fire Victims Is Important for NYC Communities
The Bronx fire tragedy highlighted critical vulnerabilities faced by immigrant families living in affordable housing across New York. According to fire department officials, this major fire exposed systemic issues with building safety that extend far beyond one apartment building in the Bronx.
Statistical significance:
- Represents the deadliest residential fire in NYC in over three decades
- Occurred in a building constructed in 1973 as affordable housing
- Demonstrated the life-threatening consequences when self-closing doors fail to contain smoke
- Sparked policy discussions affecting thousands of similar buildings citywide
The victims’ stories matter because they represent the experiences of countless immigrant families who come to New York seeking better opportunities while facing housing challenges and safety risks. Their deaths galvanized community advocacy for improved fire safety measures and stronger enforcement of building codes in affordable housing developments.
City officials acknowledged that these deaths were preventable tragedies that resulted from building maintenance failures and inadequate fire safety systems.
Victim Statistics and Impact Data
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Deaths | 17 people (8 children, 9 adults) |
| Injuries | 44 additional residents injured |
| Children Under 18 Injured | 34 of the 44 injured victims |
| Primary Cause of Death | Smoke inhalation in all cases |
| Fire Origin | Third-floor duplex apartment |
| Community Fundraising | Over $1 million raised via GoFundMe campaigns |
| Families Directly Affected | Multiple families lost several members each |
| Building Displacement | Hundreds of residents evacuated |
The fire broke out early Sunday morning when most residents were sleeping. First responders faced challenging conditions with heavy smoke filling stairwells and upper floors, making rescue operations extremely difficult. Fire department officials reported that the malfunctioning electric space heater that caused the blaze was located in a third floor apartment, but open apartment doors allowed smoke to spread rapidly throughout the building.
How to Honor and Remember the Bronx Fire Victims
Learn Their Individual Stories
Research each victim’s background to understand their roles as beloved family members, students, and community contributors. Many victims had specific dreams and aspirations – from children excelling in school to adults working to support their families and build better lives in New York.
Recommended approaches:
- Read news coverage from ABC News, The New York Times, and The Associated Press
- Learn about West African immigrant experiences in the Bronx
- Understand the community’s cultural traditions and values
- Explore the role of mutual aid in immigrant communities
Support Affected Families and Community
Continue contributing to ongoing family support through established memorial funds and community organizations that serve West African immigrants in the Bronx. The Gambian Youth Organization and other local groups maintain programs to help surviving family members and provide community healing resources.
Ways to help:
- Donate to verified memorial funds for funeral expenses and family support
- Support local organizations serving West African immigrants
- Participate in annual remembrance events and vigils
- Advocate for tenant rights and building safety improvements
Advocate for Fire Safety Improvements
The victims’ deaths led to important policy discussions about fire safety in apartment buildings across New York City. City agencies have implemented new inspection protocols and enforcement measures for self-closing doors and other fire safety equipment.
Advocacy opportunities:
- Support stronger building code enforcement
- Push for regular fire safety inspections in affordable housing
- Advocate for multilingual fire safety education programs
- Monitor progress on policy changes inspired by this tragedy
Common Misconceptions About the Bronx Fire Victims
Misconception 1: Victims died due to their own actions rather than building failures
The fire began with a malfunctioning appliance, but deaths resulted from building safety failures – specifically self-closing doors that didn’t function properly and allowed smoke to spread throughout the apartment building.
Misconception 2: The tragedy only affected one specific community
While many victims were West African immigrants, the fire highlighted safety risks affecting all residents of older apartment buildings in New York, regardless of background.
Misconception 3: All victims were recent immigrants with no community ties
Many families had lived in the building for years and were well-established community members with deep local connections, including children born in New York.
Individual Victim Profiles and Family Stories
The Dukureh Family Tragedy
The fire claimed multiple members of the Dukureh family, including Haja Dukureh and several of her children. This family had been living in the Twin Parks building for years and was well-known in the local Gambian community. The children attended local schools where teachers remembered them as bright, engaged students.
Family impact:
- Multiple generations affected in single-family groups
- Children aged 2 to 19 were the victims
- Surviving family members faced both grief and displacement
- Community rallied to support funeral expenses and ongoing needs
Other Victim Profiles
Sera Janneh (age 27): A psychology student who was working toward her degree while also serving as a home health aide. Community members described her as a dedicated family member who helped support relatives.
Seydou Toure (age 12): A middle school student known for his bright personality and academic potential. He was among the eight children who died in the fire.
The Drammeh Family: Lost several members in the tragedy, with surviving relatives requiring extensive community support for both immediate needs and long-term recovery.
The city honored all victims by co-naming the street “17 Abdoulie Touray Way” near the building site, creating a permanent memorial to their lives and contributions to the community.
Attorneys Ronemus & Vilensky Represent Victims of the Bronx Apartment Building Fire
The law firm of Ronemus & Vilensky is representing 11 families harmed by the Bronx fire incident, pursuing claims against multiple government agencies and officials, including the City of New York, the Department of Buildings, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, and former Buildings Commissioner Melanie LaRocca. The lawsuits allege that these entities and individuals failed to take the necessary steps to ensure the building owner and landlords properly repaired and maintained critical safety features such as self-closing doors, fire alarms, and smoke detectors.
Why Hire an NYC Fire Accident Attorney
Fires can cause devastating injuries and tragic loss of life, often as a result of negligence or unsafe conditions. At Ronemus & Vilensky, LLP, we stand with fire and burn injury victims, fighting to protect their rights and demand accountability from those responsible. If you or a loved one has been affected by a fire, our experienced NYC Burn Injury Attorneys are here to help. Call 212-779-7070 or contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQs About the Bronx Fire Victims
Q: How many children died in the Bronx fire?
A. Eight children were among the 17 victims, ranging from 2 to 19 years old. An additional 34 children were injured but survived the fire.
Q: What countries were the victims from originally?
A. Most victims were West African immigrants, primarily from Gambia, with some families originally from Niger and Mali.
Q: Are there ongoing memorials for the victims?
A: Yes, the community holds annual vigils, the city renamed part of Tiebout Avenue to “17 Abdoulie Touray Way,” and various memorial events continue at the building site and local community centers.
Q: How can people continue to support the victims’ families?
Through established memorial funds, supporting the Gambian Youth Organization and other local groups, and participating in annual remembrance events.
Q: What caused the fire that killed these victims?
A. The fire began when a malfunctioning electric space heater caused a blaze in a duplex apartment on the third floor. However, the deaths resulted from smoke spreading throughout the building due to failed self-closing doors and smoke detectors that were not maintained.
