Twin Parks Fire Remembrance Ceremony Marks Three Years Since Deadly Blaze
A Day of Remembrance
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted a remembrance ceremony at Borough Hall on Thursday to mark the third anniversary of the Twin Parks apartment fire, which claimed the lives of 17 residents. Gibson, along with other elected officials and victims’ family members, laid a wreath adorned with blue, red, and green flowers to honor the victims, most of whom were of Gambian heritage.
Reflecting on the Tragic Event
Participants at the ceremony reflected on the tragic Jan. 9, 2022, fire at 333 East 181st St. in Fordham Heights, the city’s deadliest since 1990. The blaze, caused by an overworked space heater, spread quickly due to malfunctioning self-closing doors in the 19-story building, turning it into a massive chimney. According to reports, most victims succumbed to smoke inhalation rather than the flames.
Elected Officials’ Remarks
Gibson said, "Three years ago, our lives forever changed in the borough of the Bronx. Three years later, we will never forget." District Attorney Darcel Clark added, "That is my family. That is your family." Eight children were among the 17 victims, most of whom were of Gambian heritage. Hadji Dukure, who lost three family members in the fire, praised the support of elected officials, saying, "These leaders are true leaders. When these [TV] cameras are not there, they’re there with us."
A Call to Action
Gibson highlighted that one positive outcome of the tragedy was the strengthened relationships among community members, first responders, city emergency management, and elected officials. She emphasized that these connections are vital for honoring the memory of Twin Parks and working to prevent future tragedies. She also stressed the importance of not only remembering the victims but acknowledging the hundreds of survivors who continue to live with the trauma of that day.
Legislative Progress
As dozens of lawsuits against the Twin Parks ownership group continue to make their way through the courts, safety legislation aimed at preventing and investigating residential fires has moved relatively quickly. In December 2022, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres introduced a bipartisan bill that was signed into law, granting the U.S. Fire Administrator the authority to conduct on-site investigations of major fires and issue detailed reports on their findings. At the local level, the City Council passed a package of bills in May 2022 to impose stricter penalties for faulty self-closing doors, ensure that only safe space heaters are sold in New York, increase the frequency of building inspections, and bolster FDNY outreach and education efforts.
Conclusion
As the community continues to heal and work towards a safer future, the memory of the Twin Parks fire victims will never be forgotten.
FAQs
- What was the cause of the Twin Parks fire?
The fire was caused by an overworked space heater, which spread quickly due to malfunctioning self-closing doors in the 19-story building. - How many people lost their lives in the fire?
17 people lost their lives in the fire, including 8 children. - What was the outcome of the fire?
The fire led to the strengthening of relationships among community members, first responders, city emergency management, and elected officials, and the passage of safety legislation aimed at preventing and investigating residential fires. - What is being done to prevent similar tragedies in the future?
Legislative efforts are underway to impose stricter penalties for faulty self-closing doors, ensure that only safe space heaters are sold in New York, increase the frequency of building inspections, and bolster FDNY outreach and education efforts.
