Funeral held for victims of deadly Bronx fire as families express frustration and demand justice.

A tight-knit Bronx community gathered on Sunday to honor the victims of a devastating apartment fire that claimed the lives of 17 people, including eight children. The fire, which filled the high-rise building with suffocating smoke, left families mourning and trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of loved ones.

Many of the victims were from West Africa, particularly The Gambia, and the funeral marked a somber week of prayers and remembrance. Amid the grief, there was palpable anger and frustration, as family members, friends, and neighbors struggled to make sense of the tragedy.

“This is a sad situation. But everything comes from God. Tragedies always happen, we just thank Allah that we can all come together,” said Haji Dukuray, whose niece and her three children, along with her husband, perished in the fire.

The victims, whose ages ranged from two to 50, included entire families, some of whom were completely wiped out. The devastating loss left behind orphaned children, adding to the heartbreak of the community.

Although the Islamic tradition calls for quick burial, delays in identifying the victims pushed back funeral services. Earlier in the week, two children were buried at a mosque in Harlem. The community remains united in its mourning, but the call for justice and answers continues to grow louder.