Rapper Cardi B, who is a native of the Bronx in New York, was devastated after learning about the Bronx apartment building fire that killed 17 people including several children.
So she said she is planning to cover the funeral cost of all the victims who perished in the fire.
"I'm extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still." said the 29-year-old rapper in a statement to CNN.
"So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help."
"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. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy."
NEW | Bronx native Cardi B to cover funeral costs for all 17 victims of the deadly high-rise blaze\n\n\u201cI cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish ... I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help.\u201dhttps://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-cardi-b-bronx-fire-funerals-20220119-esl5b3jvaffrpcscahyjii7kzy-story.html\u00a0\u2026— New York Daily News (@New York Daily News) 1642611080
To see you\u2019re paying for every one of those 17 funerals in your native #Bronx is the realest headline I\u2019ve seen in a while. Prayers out to the families who lost loved ones and those who are recovering. God bless you @iamcardib \u2014 story is on @TMZpic.twitter.com/cSYKPS34e9— Juan Hustle (@Juan Hustle) 1642603533
I would rather see this news than the other silly stuff that\u2019s on our time line! Awesome, very good deed. Good to see her putting money towards a good cause!— Aniyunwiya \u13a0\u13c2\u13f4\u13eb\u13ef (@Aniyunwiya \u13a0\u13c2\u13f4\u13eb\u13ef) 1642639508
I love Cardi B. She knows and didn't forget where she's from, the boogie down Bronx.— James (@James) 1642612135
Paying it forward You are a good person What it means when you are a QUEEN who loves back If you give back you are rich for allWays— LeiPantz\ud83c\udd93\ud83d\udddd\ud83d\udef8\ud83c\udfb1 (@LeiPantz\ud83c\udd93\ud83d\udddd\ud83d\udef8\ud83c\udfb1) 1642619567
Good for her. People can bring up her past but if she\u2019s going out of her way to help people you can\u2019t hate on her for that. That\u2019s a very kind and mature gesture from a very young person who came from nothing and knows what it\u2019s like to struggle.— me (@me) 1642618363
So she's got a wap and a heart of gold.— lulu\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@lulu\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1642618484
Can\u2019t take away from that. A really kind and generous offer from a total stranger out of respect for her home. \nCan\u2019t take anything away from that, that\u2019s kindness and love.— Master Cylinder (@Master Cylinder) 1642618767
This is the world I love. \n\nBlessings abound for the families and for Cardi B.— Samantha B. (@Samantha B.) 1642626086
Depsite city officials previously announcing 19 deaths in the fire on January 9, Mayor Eric Adams announced the following day that 17 people–including eight children–had died.
New York City Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro commented on the miscalculation, saying:
"Patients were taken to seven different hospitals. There was a bit of a double count. And I guess it's a bit of good news that the number isn't 19 but 17."
The source of the blazing high-rise was due to a malfunctioning space heater that sparked inside a two-story apartment unit encompassing the second and third floors of the building.
The occupants of the unit fled the building, but the self-closing door failed to shut automatically and remained open, according to the Commissioner.
He added that while the fire was contained in the hallway just outside the apartment, the 19-story building was filled with smoke–which led to the injuries and fatalities.
It is considered to be the city's deadliest fire in 30 years.
Let's not forget though that this was the landlords fault. They failed to provide safe and quality housing that led to their deaths.— Zeb Habash (@Zeb Habash) 1642612753
According to Cardi B's rep, the "WAP" singer partnered with The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to ensure the families of the victims will be included in her donation and "that the final wishes for their loved ones were met."
Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement:
"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."
"The city will be forever thankful to her and also to the grassroots donors and corporate partners who have been able to offer immediate support for our neighbors in need, to reestablish themselves during this difficult time."
Meanwhile, the city was criticized for not stepping up.
When a celebrity does more to help people than the govt, insurance, and billionaire business owners combined.— Web of Wyrd (@Web of Wyrd) 1642613255
Not minimize what Cardi is doing, but you mean to tell me the city of New York couldn't help these families? It took one rich person to do it? A lot of respect to Cardi B and PLENTY of disrespect to the government officials of NYC.— Amie Burke | Abomb\u2019s Playhouse (@Amie Burke | Abomb\u2019s Playhouse) 1642622636
Cardi B has frequently helped more people during large disasters than the US government has— Frothy (@Frothy) 1642623639
Wow, that\u2019s huge!! #CardiB is truly helping people who need the help. I would love to see other celebrities, politicians, and other wealthy people in general step up in the same generous vein to help those who need the help in our current crazy economy.— Sarah Valverde (@Sarah Valverde) 1642622711
Tenants and the victims' families have filed a class-action lawsuit against the current and previous owners of the building and are seeking $2 billion in damages.
They alleged the defendants were negligent on a number of fronts–including failing to ensure smoke detectors were working and for not providing intercom and sprinkler systems.
Cardi B joins American rapper Fat Joe, who is also from the Bronx and contributed to the The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.
In addition to providing a link to the fund's website, Fat Joe announced fellow artists JAY-Z and DJ Khaled have also made donations.
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