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Residents Return Home After Fire

SUNBURY — A fire on Saturday forced the evacuation of more than 100 residents, many who used wheelchairs or had other physical limitations. The fire also ...

SUNBURY -- A fire on Saturday forced the evacuation of more than 100 residents, many who used wheelchairs or had other physical limitations.

The fire also claimed the life of a man whose determination and positive attitude will be missed.

The cleanup continued Sunday at Scott Tower on Market Street in Sunbury following that fire that killed 32-year-old Hernan Feliciano, sent a maintenance worker to the hospital, and forced the evacuation of more than 100 residents, including senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Fans hummed in hallways that were soaked when the fire on the second floor set off the sprinkler system.

Sunbury's fire chief, Ken Kipple, was inside the building when the fire started, riding in an elevator after visiting his mother who lives on the ninth floor.

"This is the first time I can remember that the sprinkler systems have ever activated because they activate from heat, so with water coming down from the ceiling at the panel it was pretty tense. I knew then we had an actual event here," Chief Kipple said.

Chief Kipple said the overall operation was one of the largest his crews have faced.

"I had firefighters carrying people in their wheelchairs, in their arms, over their shoulders, down the stairways."

He said the building has many safeguards built in that kept the fire from spreading.

"The building did what it was supposed to do. One resident, it was a tragic event, but the rest were safe."

As residents settled back into their routines, they remembered Hernan Feliciano.

Charlie Walter said his friend had a strong spirit despite his limited mobility.

"How inspiring was he to you?"

"He was very much. He would say, 'Charlie, go out and live life. Look at me,' he said, 'Go out and live life, and do things,'" Walter said.

This summer a 5K race was held to help Feliciano raise money for a specially equipped van.

Walter said even though it took a lift to get Feliciano out of bed, he loved to do things like go out to lunch and despite his physical limitations, he never stopped encouraging residents to live life to the fullest.

Walter said while Feliciano may be gone, he will try to honor his memory.

"I am going to try to lose weight. He would say, 'Get out and exercise! Walk,' he says, 'I can't walk.'"

An autopsy for Feliciano has been scheduled for Tuesday.

Chief Kipple said that while the fire was accidental, investigators are still working to determine the exact cause.

He is planning to have a meeting with residents to discuss how the evacuation went and reassure them the building is safe.

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