by justin strawser
SUNBURY - The victims of a massive fire that destroyed two houses and heavily damaged a third Sunday morning were surprisingly upbeat Monday afternoon while attempting to salvage what they could from the charred rubble, cracking jokes with each other and laughing.
"Everyone's just happy we got out," said Robert Whary II, 41, of 1022 Susquehanna Ave.
It was his house - owned by his father, Robert James Whary Sr., 70 - that fire officials are saying was the first of three to ignite.
State Trooper Norman Fedder ruled the fire, which caused an estimated $350,000 to 1022, 1020 and 1028 Susquehanna Ave., as accidental in nature Monday and reported it originated on the floor in the area where an extension cord and window light were located in Whary's residence.
Robert Whary II, who also lives in the house with his son, Isaiah Whary, said he was on the second floor at approximately 8:30 a.m. Sunday watching television when his father informed him of the fire. The house soon filled with smoke and the three Wharys lost each other in the confusion. The younger Robert Whary charged out the front door, singing his hair and face, and realized his father and son had already escaped out the back door.
"There was no time to think. There was no time to grab keys or wallets or clothes or shoes," he said, noting he was standing outside Sunday morning in socks, shorts and a shirt.
However, while rummaging through the debris Monday, he found his wallet, which still was intact. While speaking with a reporter from The News-Item, his brother, Shawn Whary, 46, of Paxinos, came out of the shell of a home and handed him the title and registration to his car and motorcycle, which surprisingly didn't burn.
Excluding several small trinkets and documents, he said they lost everything: photographs, nearly 1,000 irreplaceable baseball cards, portfolios and work for school, computers.
"This is my childhood house and all the memories burned away," said Whary.
The fire, described by Whary as a "big ball of flames," totally engulfed the house within 30 minutes and he knew it wouldn't be saved.
It quickly spread to 1020 Susquehanna Ave., owned by John Ney, 71, and Sharon Ney, 70. He, as well as family members and friends, were also salvaging what they could Monday at the same time as the Whary family.
They, too, were in surprisingly upbeat moods.
"What can we do? Cry about it and get all sad?" said Andrea Freed, daughter of Ney, who warned her parents to leave the house Sunday.
Sharon Ney, who had to be forced to leave, has dementia and didn't understand what was going on, said John Ney.
"It was very fast," he said of the fire. "There was nothing but red flames."
He and his daughter's boyfriend re-entered the house to retrieve personal belongings and valuables, but the firefighters instructed them to stay outside.
"There was no time to spare," said Ney.
Standing in front of the house on the sidewalk, Justin Johnson - his granddaughter's boyfriend - asked Ney if a miniature wooden horse-and-buggy was worth taking off the porch.
"Darn right. He survived," said Ney.
With shifting winds, Ney said the fire torched the side of 1028 Susquehanna Ave., owned by Robert Fleming, 65. Fleming escaped the fire unscathed. On Monday, a smoke and water damage truck was parked outside his house and hoses ran inside through the doors and windows.
Ney and his wife will be staying at 1020A Susquehanna Ave., which was less than five feet away from his house.
"It's remarkable. There's not a burnt thing," he said.
The house belongs to his mother-in-law, who is visiting relatives in Florida.
"As long as we keep telling her there's snow here, she won't come home," Freed joked.
His father, who was meeting with insurance inspectors Monday, will be staying with his daughter in Elysburg. Robert Whary II and his son will be staying his brother in Paxinos.
"Where do you go when there's no home to go to?" he said.
Whary said the community has been supportive, offering clothing and food and places to stay.
"It was a horrible experience. I hope no one has to go through it again. If they do, I hope they have a good community like ours," he said.
All owners, said Fedder, have insurance coverage.
The two-alarm fire brought firefighters from Sunbury, Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland, Shamokin Dam and the aerial truck from Milton.Firefighters arrived on scene to find the dwelling at 1022 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury, fully engulfed in flames at approximately 8:30 a.m. Sunday. The fire quickly spread to adjoining structures before being brought under control. Firefighters train their hoses on houses along the 1000 block of Susquehanna Avenue in Sunbury during Sunday morning's fire. Firefighters train their hoses on houses along the 1000 block of Susquehanna Avenue in Sunbury during Sunday morning's fire.