Norwood News has received eye witness reports that around 3 people required medical assistance, possibly due to frostbite or heat or stress-related illness, during the funeral and prayer service held on Sunday morning, Jan. 16, for the 17 victims, including 8 children, of last Sunday’s tragic fire in Fordham Heights, as reported.

 

Eye-witnesses told Norwood News during the service, which began at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, at the Islamic Cultural Center, located at 371 East 166th Street in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, that around 3 people attended to by EMTs and reportedly treated in an ambulance,  falling down

 

A video of one person, apparently collapsing or being carried out through the crowd, is attached below.

…and here we go. https://t.co/v1uUJeSqZ7

— NYC EMS Watch (@NYCEMSwatch) January 16, 2022

 

New York State Lt Gov. Brian Benjamin, along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and other elected officials, attended the funeral on behalf of the governor who was in upstate New York giving a COVID-19 press briefing on Sunday morning.

 

This is a painful moment. My heart is with everyone affected by the #BronxFire—from the lives we lost to the families dealing with the aftermath of this tragic event.

In times of need, New Yorkers step up and help their neighbors. A few resources below🧵

— Brian Benjamin (@brianbenjaminny) January 10, 2022

 

 

 

Large crowds were witnessed filling the streets for the service and there were unconfirmed reports that as elected officials were entering the mosque, that local members of the community were also trying to enter at the same time, potentially causing some stress among the crowd. Attendees reported it being extremely cold outside but extremely hot inside the mosque.

 

 

Video by David Greene

 

Norwood News has reached out to EMS / FDNY for more information about any reported injuries, and will update this story upon receipt of more information.

 

 

Meanwhile, as reported, another Bronx fire (possibly two at the same location) was reported on Sunday morning in the Belmont section of the Bronx (at a commercial building), at the same time that the funeral service was taking place in Morrisania for the 17 victims of last Sunday’s fire. The fire was brought under control at around 11.23 a.m. We await more information from the FDNY on any possible injuries.

 

Funeral starting for 15 of the victims of last weekend’s #BronxFire. The caskets are being taken into the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/kTt896LA6S

— Dean Meminger (@DeanMeminger) January 16, 2022

 

In a press release issued on Saturday, Jan. 15, regarding the funeral details for the 17 fire victims, issued by Sheikh Musa Drammeh, fire tragedy community coordinator and ICCB member, Bakary Camara, Islamic Cultural Center Coordinator, Dr. Bola Omotosho, Bronx Community Board 5 chairperson and Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Muslim activist, they said the tragic [Fordham Heights] fire of Sunday, Jan. 9, affected thousands of Bronx residents and the global community.

 

 

“We will put to rest the innocent souls that day in the fire,” they said. “Simultaneously, we will continue to work with nonprofit organizations and city governments to aid and stabilize survivors of the fire.”

 

.@NYCMayor Adams and @NYCSpeakerAdams attend a funeral for victims of the Bronx fire earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/AmRxUE8XE6

— City of New York (@nycgov) January 16, 2022

 

Sheikh Musa Drammeh added, “I personally would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the amazing humanitarian services nonprofits and city governments rendered so far on behalf of the affected families and our community in general. You have set the tone. You have made the difference. You have mitigated the pain and suffering. And our Creator will handsomely reward our neighborly deeds, as He promised.”

 

.@NYCMayor Adams and other New York City leaders attend funeral services at the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx for victims of last weekend’s fire. pic.twitter.com/umjIccFhD7

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 16, 2022

 

Norwood News reached out to Sheikh Musa Drammeh to ask if he knew about the incident at the prayer service and he confirmed he had no knowledge of it.

 

This week on #InFocusNY1, @CherylWillsNY1 speaks with the @FDNY commissioner about what sparked and fed the deadly Jan. 9 fire that killed 17, and talks to @BronxBP about why many of the city's worst fires seem to happen in The Bronx. Watch at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/53kJpPQZbb

— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) January 16, 2022

 

Meanwhile, relief efforts for the victims are ongoing by the Gambian Youth Organization, at Monroe College by various elected officials, and by other community organizations. For details on how to help, please click here.

 

Thankful for everyone who has been there for the so many vulnerable families affected by the Bronx fire. We are one NYC. @bronxbp, @ShahanaFromBK, @alexaforcouncil, @SandyforCouncil, @PiSanchezNYC, @OsseChi. pic.twitter.com/CNFk5Qswmt

— Oswald Feliz (@OswaldFeliz) January 15, 2022

 

Video by David Greene via YouTube

 

The funeral for 15 of the victims of the Bronx fire this morning was heartbreaking. ⁰⁰The Imam demanded that we look squarely on their caskets, on the inequality that caused their deaths, and pledge real action to honor their humanity.

— Comptroller Brad Lander (@NYCComptroller) January 16, 2022

 

On Monday, Jan. 17, the FDNY confirmed a report of an ill person at 11.49 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 16, at 371 East 166th Street. Two civilian patients were transported to Bronx Lebanon Hospital. The FDNY is prohibited from sharing any details as to the medical status of any affected person in line with HIPAA regulation.