Cardi B is doing what she can to attempt to help the families of those affected by the tragic apartment building fire in the Bronx heal.
The 29-year-old Bronx-raised rapper was moved to send a bit more than thoughts and prayers after learning of the tragedy that occurred on Sunday, Jan. 9, when a four-alarm fire raged through an apartment building in Fordham Heights, leaving 17 tenants dead, many of whom were African immigrants from Gambia. Eight children perished in the disaster.
Hearing about the “horrific tragedy” in the neighborhood she grew up struck a chord with the artist, and in an attempt to alleviate some of their financial stress, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper volunteered to cover burial costs for the deceased.
“I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help,” Cardi B said in a statement.
“I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal,” she continued, adding, “I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”
Many of the family members of the victims are planning to bury their loved ones in their West African homeland, and the Grammy Award-winning artist has agreed to cover the repatriation expenses for the victims, noted the mayor’s office, which shared word of Cardi B’s involvement.
“We are grateful for Cardi B, a real superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to families of the victims,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement.
In addition to the many lives that were lost in the fire, which was reportedly started by a faulty space heater, many tenants are now displaced and seeking relief. Mayor Adams and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City previously announced the launch of the Bronx Fire Relief Fund, which was established to support those impacted by the tragedy.
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