Outside of the fire-ravaged doors of 815 Church St., a memorial of flowers, candles, stuffed animals and balloons have overgrown the porch and the front steps since Sunday. Even on Wednesday morning, members of the Lebanon County community were seen stopping by the home where tragedy struck after a blaze on Sept. 28 interrupted a family’s birthday party.
“I can’t imagine anything worse,” Lebanon resident Marie Rodriguez said after dropping off some flowers. “Just knowing that families have lost their children, that members of our community lost their home. You just want to do something, you know?”
That’s why government officials, community leaders and local residents are trying to get the word out about ways to support the families of the five deceased victims, two of whom were children and one a teen, from the Sept. 28 Church Street duplex fire.
Church Street fire
The Lebanon Fire Department was dispatched at 8:43 a.m. Sept. 28 for a multiple-dwelling fire with entrapment. Upon arrival, crews noticed that both the first and second floors of the residence were fully engulfed with flames.
There were 10 individuals inside the residence during the time of the fire, according to officials. Several of the occupants were guests visiting for a birthday celebration. Four escaped with minor injuries, and one was hospitalized but reported as being in stable condition.
On Sept. 30, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello announced that 23-year-old Tailing Nunez was confirmed deceased Sept. 30. Nunez was in critical condition on the day of the fire, with emergency crews originally taking her to WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. Officials said Nunez was then flown to a Baltimore hospital for treatment.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore told the Lebanon Daily News that an autopsy had been performed, and the cause of death was listed as complications of carbon monoxide toxicity.
The Lebanon County Coroner’s Office confirmed Sept. 29 that Lebanon residents Jaeden Nunez, 17, and Josefina Estevez, 73, were found dead after the fire in their home on Sunday. Amarri Morris-Rodriguez, 1, was visiting from New York, while 4-year-old Lebanon resident Veyda Pereyra was also visiting on Sunday.
Officials said that Rodriguez and Estevez were pronounced at the scene, while Pereyra and Nunez were pronounced at the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital.
Estevez and Nunez’s cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Lebanon County Coroner’s Office Oct. 1. An autopsy was performed Wednesday morning for Morris-Rodriguez and Pereyra, with officials still waiting on results before determining a cause of death.
Capello said Sept. 30 that Steve Thompson, of Thompson Funeral Home, had covered the funeral expenses for Pereyra. Thompson was also assisting with administrative arrangements for Morris-Rodriguez, allowing the family to coordinate services in New York.
“We are deeply grateful to all who have reached out to help,” she said. “The City of Lebanon is fortunate to have such a compassionate and supportive community. Your contributions are making a meaningful difference, and we know the families are truly appreciative of your kindness.”
Lebanon officials had condemned 815 and 817 Church Street residences as of Sept. 29. The fire originated from an electrical outlet in the first-floor living room and has been ruled accidental in nature, according to officials.
Organizations support
The United Way of Lebanon County has established a Fire Relief Fund to support the affected families. Officials said that residents who wish to assist the victims can make financial contributions to help provide both immediate and long-term recovery support.
“We know the Lebanon County community steps up in times of need, and this is one of those times,” said Erin Velazquez, executive director of United Way of Lebanon County. “Our hearts go out to the individuals and families affected by this fire. With your help, we can offer them meaningful support during a very difficult time.”
Donations can be made in the following ways:
· Make checks payable to United Way of Lebanon County, noting “Fire Relief Fund” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to United Way of Lebanon County, PO Box 10, Lebanon, PA 17042.
· Visit www.unitedwaylebco.org/donate. Residents should include “fire victims” in the donors notes section.
The American Red Cross is also looking for donations for the families of the victims and those who lived in the 817 Church Street residence, who also loss their home and belongings.
Those wishing to make a donation to the American Red Cross can visit www.redcross.org/donate. Select the dropdown for “Your Local Red Cross” to ensure the donation is designated for disaster relief efforts in the Lebanon County community. Residents can also dedicate their donation “in honor of the victims of the 815 Church Street fire in Lebanon, Pa.”
GoFundMe accounts and donation drives have been established by Lebanon community organizations to support the families of the Church Street fire. In one set up for Pereyra, organizers said that nothing is expected “but any donations will be greatly appreciated.”
“She lost her life in a tragic fire & we are all completely shattered,” organizers wrote about the 4-year-old. “She is the light in every room, our baby, our only child, & we’ll forever miss her.”
Organizers also set up a GoFundMe for Nunez, Estevez and Pereyra, asking residents for assistance for funeral planning and housing assistance.
