Self-storage building Demolished Following Partial Collapse From storm

Posted by MSM on May 4, 2025 8:41:42 AM

Storms tore through Pennsylvania last week, and Sunbury was one of the hardest hit areas. Unfortunately, Julia Street Self Storage was one of the hardest hit buildings. The storm caused the facility to partially collapse last Tuesday night, leaving it beyond repair.

James Fuchek lives right around the corner from the facility and was watching the storm roll in on his porch when he saw the collapse. "I just heard a big rumble, the whole wall came down into the street," said Fuchek.

By Wednesday morning, it had been demolished and crews were working on cleanup.

The City of Sunbury's Administrator, Derrick Backer, said the facility needed to be knocked down due to safety concerns. "It was determined by code officials and by some other high-ranking officials that it wasn't structurally sound, and for the public well-being and the safety, they decided it did need to come down, and they did speak to the property owner about that," said Backer, adding that they are still assessing why the building collapsed in the manner that it did.

Property Manager Andrew Ramos found out about the collapse from his dad, who said he received some phone calls from others in the neighborhood. Now, he says he is just thankful no one was hurt and for the first responders who worked to help mitigate the issue.

Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 8.36.31 AM Ramos says he doesn't think the owner will rebuild. "I don't know what the owner's plans are. My guess is, if I'm right, that he's not going to rebuild. Right now, we're just focusing on the clean up, getting things taken care of so that the streets can be utilized," said Ramos.

Ramos says some homes on the backside of the building did have some damage from the collapse. He says those residents are safe and are in temporary housing.

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