Cardi B says she will cover the funeral costs for the 17 victims of the Bronx fire: 'I knew I needed to do something to help'

• On January 9, an apartment fire in the Bronx killed 17 people and injured dozens of others.
• Rapper Cardi B told Insider that she would pay for the funeral costs of those killed in the fire.

Rapper Cardi B offered to front the costs of the funerals for the 17 people who were killed in the apartment building fire in the Bronx earlier this month.

The rapper, a Bronx native, told Insider in an emailed statement on Wednesday that she "cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing."

"I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal," she added.

The Bronx fire occurred in a 19-story apartment building on January 9 and was started by a faulty space heater, Insider previously reported. An open door allowed smoke to rush the building, killing 17 people — eight of whom were children. Dozens more were injured.

"I'm extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still," Cardi B told Insider. "So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help."

The state of New York is also allocating $2 million to help tenants impacted by the tragedy.

"The money will provide tenants with case management services, personal property replacement, and relocation and rental assistance to help address critical household needs," according to a press release from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.