School communities in the Bronx are reeling after a deadly fire killed no fewer than eight children. 

“Something that we heard universally about each child that we lost is how much they smiled, how much they brought life to the school,” Mayor Eric Adams said after visiting schools attended by the victims Monday. “And not only did this fire leave a burning pain in the hearts of people in this community, but it has left a burning pain in the children and teachers in the faculties of this school.”

Schools Chancellor David Banks said he and Adams visited four schools — two charters and two traditional district schools — that lost children in the fire, spending time with staff members.

What You Need To Know

  • A deadly Bronx blaze has killed no fewer than eight children who attended several nearby schools

  • Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor David Banks visited four schools that lost students

  • The city will offer resources to any school affected by the fire

“Each one of them also told us about each one of the young people who died. They're not just a name. They told us stories about each one of them. And my heart broke as we heard just about how passionate each young person was, and how they came to life for us,” Banks said. “One teacher read a letter that he had just gotten a few days ago, and it was just heartbreaking.”

Those may not be the only schools hit hard by the blaze. There are many in the area, and others may serve children who were injured or displaced by the fire. The city has deployed crisis response teams and extra clinicians to schools touched by the disaster.

“I sent out a letter to every school principal and educator across the city this morning, asking that we all take time to reflect on this tragedy, but also to make sure that we are providing opportunities to talk about fire safety during this winter season,” Banks said.

He said that includes safety precautions when using space heaters, and the importance of closing a door behind you when fleeing a fire, both factors in Sunday’s tragedy.

Adams and Banks both thanked the staff at neighborhood schools, and say the city will stick around to help move forward.

"We will support these schools in every way possible in the coming months, educators, students, staff, all of them have realized that they're going through a traumatic moment and we want to be here for them,” Adams said.

The DOE says that support will include the agency’s borough office sending extra social workers on site to every affected school, as well as offering the support of “student service managers,” educators trained in crisis management and helping students who deal with trauma. The DOE will also work with community groups, parent organizations and religious institutions to collect donations, put together care packages and share information with families.

The Office of Pupil Transportation will also work to make sure any children displaced by the fire have a way to get to class, including rerouting and reassigning bus routes as needed.