First Bronx Fire Victims Named, Two 5-Year-Olds Among Dead

New York City NY

11 January, 2022

8:45 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — A pair of 5-year-old girls are among 17 people who died in the tragic Bronx fire Sunday, officials announced Tuesday evening. The New York Police Department named 14 people who lost their lives when flames and smoke ravaged the 19-story apartment building at 333 W. 181st St. on Sunday afternoon. Fatoumata Dukureh, 5, perished along with three others who bore her surname: Mustapha, a 12-year-old boy; Mariam, an 11-year-old girl; and Haja, a 37-year-old woman, police said. Haouwa Mahamadou was also 5 when she lost her life, according to the NYPD. These were not the only children to die. Omar Jambang was 6, and Seydou Toure and Muhammed Drammeh were 12, police records show. New York also lost Nyumaaisha Drammeh, 19; Sera Janneh, 27; Dukary Haji, 49; Fatoumata Drammeh, 50; Foutmala Drammeh, 21; and Fatoumata Tunkara, 43, police said. Officials believe a total of 17 people were claimed by the fire, but FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro warned Monday that number could grow as many survivors fight for their lives. Malfunctioning self-opening doors likely contributed to the rapid pace of the deadly smoke's spread, officials say. As horrific news poured in, New Yorkers have rallied to provide relief to survivors, said Sheikh Musa Drammeh, who is helping coordinate aid for families. "If you have to be in such a problem," the coordinator said, "New York is the best place."