Victims of Sunday fire id’ed; Mayor says 5th person has died, shares support info

Update 11 a.m. – Lebanon mayor Sherry Capello confirmed Tuesday morning that a fifth person has died as a result of Sunday’s fire.

The latest fatality is Tailing Nunez, a 23-year-old woman. She had been listed in critical condition after being hospitalized on Sunday.

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Update 3 p.m. – Capello also shared guidance on how to support the families affected by the fire.

Capello said that the American Red Cross is supporting both the families of the victims and the residents of the other half of the duplex, who also suffered the loss of their home and belongings. Donations can be made at the Red Cross website by selecting “Your local Red Cross” from the dropdown menu and then dedicating the donation to “the victims of the 815 Church Street fire in Lebanon, PA.”

The United Way of Lebanon County is also accepting donations directed to the fire victims and donations can be made online or by check to: United Way of Lebanon County, PO Box 10, Lebanon, PA 17042, with memo “fire victims.”

Capello also recognized Steve Thompson of Thompson Funeral Home, saying that he has “graciously covered the funeral expenses for the 4-year-old victim and is assisting with administrative arrangements for the 1-year-old, allowing the family to coordinate services in New York.”

“We are deeply grateful to all who have reached out to help,” said Capello. “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.”

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The four people who died in a Lebanon city house fire on Sunday, Sept. 28, have been identified.

Jaeden Nunez, 17, and Josefina Estevez, 73, were found dead after the fire in their home in a Church Street duplex, the Lebanon County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Monday to various media outlets. Also among the deceased were 4-year-old Lebanon resident Veyda Pereyra, who was visiting the home on Sunday, as well as 1-year-old Amarri Morris-Rodriguez, who was visiting from New York.

Morris-Rodriguez and Estevez were pronounced dead at the scene, the coroner’s office said, while Pereyra and Nunez were pronounced dead later at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital.

The cause and manner of death were still pending as of Monday afternoon. The coronor’s office said Nunez and Estevez will not be recieving an autopsy, according to the Daily News, while the others were still pending as of Monday morning.

According to reports, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said the fire originated from an electrical outlet in the first-floor living room and was ruled accidental in nature. Ten people were inside the home at the time of the fire, several of whom were guests visiting for a birthday celebration.

Read More: 4 dead after Sunday morning fire in Lebanon; victims’ ages range from 1 to 73

The Lebanon Fire Department was dispatched at 8:43 a.m. Sept. 28 for a multiple dwelling fire with entrapment. Upon arrival, both the first and second floors of the residence were fully engulfed with flames.

Fire crews worked to knock down the flames and began to search for residents trapped in the home. Officials said crews found three people and transported them to WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, while three additional residents exited the home on their own before fire crews arrived.

According to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Sabu Pereyra of Lebanon, two members of the family are still hospitalized after the fire.

“In the early hours of Sunday September 28th, a devastating house fire tore through our home, claiming the lives of 4 of our beloved family members,” the GoFundMe page states. “Two members are in the hospital still, one in critical condition. This tragedy has shattered our family and countless community members. We are now reaching out to everyone to help with financial assistance for funeral planning, housing support, and to help rebuild from this unimaginable loss.”

The fundraising campaign for $20,000 had already raised $44,511 through 530 donations as of Tuesday morning.

A second GoFundMe campaign, organized by Azelyn Arenas of Lebanon, is specifically for Veyda Pereyra’s family. Arenas is an EMT with First Aid and Safety Patrol and was on duty when the call came in; according to a social media post, she responded to the scene where her daughter was found.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLzFV9i47

“She lost her life in a tragic fire & we are all completely shattered,” Arenas says on the GoFundMe page. “She is the light in every room, our baby, our only child, & we’ll forever miss her. Nothing is expected but any donations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you & please respect our privacy as we navigate this. Her father and I appreciate anything.”

The fundraising campaign for $10,000 had already raised $36,587 through 587 donations as of Tuesday morning.