Dad recounts agony of telling daughter her mom, brother died in Bronx fire

Mamadi Jambang's ex-wife Fatoumata Tunkara and son Omar Jambang had been two of the 17 individuals who died within the Bronx fireplace on Jan. 9, 2022.
Robert Miller

A father whose ex-wife and 6-year-old son died in Sunday’s horrific Bronx high-rise fireplace described the agonizing dialog when he needed to inform his surviving daughter they didn’t make it out alive.

Mamadi Jambang, 53, who didn’t stay together with his youngsters and ex, informed The Publish that by witness accounts he decided the trio had been on the highest ground of the 19-story constructing when the blaze broke out.

His son, Omar Jambang, and the boy’s mom, 43-year-old Fatoumata Tunkara, had been amongst two of 17 victims who died of smoke inhalation within the inferno that began in a third-floor duplex.

“I assume Fatoumata carried Omar down the steps when the smoke was going up,” the daddy mentioned. “They had been coming down the steps.”

Mamadi’s 9-year-old daughter, Mariam Jambang, was along with her mother and brother that day and survived.

Fatoumata Tunkara carried Omar down the steps of the 19-story constructing, Mamadi Jambang decided. Tunkara was 43 years outdated.

Fb

At first, not sure of the right way to break the devastating information – Mamadi informed his daughter the 2 had been nonetheless within the hospital. However he finally broke the heartbreaking reality.

“I needed to clarify to Mariam what occurred,” the daddy mentioned. “I needed to sit her down, near me, as a result of she’s been asking on a regular basis for her mommy.”

“Initially I informed her mommy was on the hospital with Omar and that they’d be OK. However ultimately I needed to inform her ‘mommy and Omar didn't make it, they handed away, you’re not going to see them anymore, however I’m right here for you, don’t fear, we’ll be OK,’” Mamadi recounted.

Mamadi mentioned he and his ex-wife had joint custody of the children and now his daughter can be residing with him full time.

Omar Jambang is remembered as a “very good” and “very lively” 6-year-old-boy.

Robert Miller

The boy and his sister had been inseparable and “at all times taking part in collectively,” Mamadi mentioned.

The daddy remembered his son as a “very good” and “very lively” boy who did properly at school at Success Academy in Washington Heights.

“I actually cherished him. It is extremely unlucky,” he mentioned.

A normal view exhibits the house constructing the place a lethal fireplace occurred within the Bronx borough on Jan. 9, 2022.

REUTERS