Governor Kathy Hochul announced this Sunday the allocation of 2 million dollars to assist families affected by the deadly fire a week ago in the Bronx that left people killed, of which 8 were children.
Funds, funded through the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Homeless Emergency Needs Program and through the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Housing Trust Fund Corporation, will provide tenants with relocation and rental assistance services to help address critical household needs.
“When I met with the tenants affected by the fire in a building in the Bronx, including many who immigrated to our state in hopes of finding a better life, I could see the indescribable pain in their eyes and promised to help them recover” Governor Hoch said ul in a statement.
“All those affected are part of our New York State family and we will provide them with the support they need to get back on their feet. I want those affected to know that we will not forget them, we will not abandon them, we are here to help them”, he added.
In addition, the Office of New Citizens has promised to provide assistance to immigrants displaced by the fire that have their paperwork pending with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (USCIS).
For its part, the Human Resources Administration of the City of New York is coordinating immediate relief efforts and is also providing burial expenses for victims.
The Red Cross also provides lodging for victims for up to two weeks and monetary assistance to the families of the deceased.
The fire occurred on Sunday, January 9, when a damaged electric heater caught fire and burned a mattress on the second floor. The residents of that apartment rushed out of the house, leaving the door open and this caused the fire and smoke to rise rapidly through the 17 floors of the building, where they were distributed 118 apartments.
Security protocols
The fire, one of the deadliest in recent 30 years, set off alarms about the review of security protocols in buildings. Democratic congressman Ritchie Torres suggested this week the formation of a federal coalition to determine in depth what happened to prevent tragedies like this not only in the city but in the rest of the country.
“We are going to examine issues related to the manufacture of space heaters, the use of space heaters of space in residential homes, sprinkler systems, self-closing doors, fire and smoke alarm systems,” Torres said in statements collected by the Daily News. “We have to make sure that the lessons learned from this event become laws that prevent future tragedies.”