New York Hotel Fire Tonight: Residents Find Temporary Shelter Amid Devastation

A devastating fire broke out at a residential apartment building in the Bronx, New York City, last Sunday, leaving 19 people dead and many more displaced. The tragedy has sparked widespread concern and support for those affected, with emergency services and community organizations working together to provide temporary shelter and assistance.

According to Christina Farrell, first deputy commissioner of NYC emergency management, residents who lived in the building are now being housed at a middle school next door. 'This is not about anyone's status or where anyone came from, this is about New Yorkers that are in need, that need services and we're able to provide those services while everyone deals with their grief,' Farrell said.

The fire, which was brought under control by 2:57 PM on Sunday, was caused by a duct failure in the building's second-floor kitchen. Many of those affected are Muslim and from Gambia, a small nation on the east coast of Africa.

Emergency responders have been working tirelessly to provide support services to the displaced residents. 'We've been able to give them food, a warm space, water, any short-term needs that they had,' Farrell said. A service center will be set up on Monday to assist those affected, with hotel rooms and other resources available.

In addition to providing immediate assistance, officials have also confirmed that the names of building residents seeking government assistance will not be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision aims to alleviate concerns among the affected community.

As the city continues to work towards supporting those displaced by the fire, many have come together to offer a helping hand. 'We'll be hopeful that many of them will be able to go back into their apartment in the coming days,' Farrell said. 'And so we will be making sure every family has a safe, warm space to sleep in tonight.'

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New york hotel fire tonight