Cardi B offers to pay funeral costs of 17 people who died in New York City fire

US rapper Cardi B has offered to pay the burial costs for all 17 people killed in a fire that ripped through a New York City high-rise.

The blaze ripped through an apartment building in the Bronx where the Grammy Award-winning artist grew up.

A two-year-old and two five-year-olds were among eight children who died in the fire on 9 January.

Many of the victims had ties to Gambia, and families of several of the victims planned to bury them in their West African homeland.

The office of New York City mayor Mayor Eric Adams announced that Cardi B had offered to pay the repatriation expenses.

The rapper said in a statement: “I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help.

“I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”

The fire, which was New York City’s deadliest in three decades, was sparked by a faulty heater, according to authorities.