Community rallies for people affected by Christmas Eve fire

AN online appeal has been launched for residents who were hit by a devastating fire in Co Down over the festive period.

The JustGiving crowdfunding page was set up to help families whose homes were damaged after a blaze ripped through a row of properties on Church Avenue in Dundrum in the early hours of December 24.

The inferno started in a vacant house on the terrace and quickly spread to others, as well as oil tanks and sheds, leading to residents being evacuated from eight properties.

Some 52 firefighters were eventually able to bring the intense blaze under control in the face of high winds.

The houses were affected to varying degrees, some badly, others with only superficial smoke damage.

The one house that was completely destroyed was empty at the time.

Three more homes were badly damaged, one of which is Housing Executive property. The others are privately owned.

Twelve dwellings in total were affected.

Two pigeon lofts were also affected by the blaze, and 60 birds died.

Residents were left with the prospect of losing their homes just the day before Christmas.

Jacqui Mason set up the JustGiving page to help people who were affected get back on their feet.

Her appeal has so far raised more than £1,000.

Donors also left messages of support on the JustGiving page.

One wrote: “The people of Dundrum will support you and rally round you with anything you need.”

Another said: “This is the village where my family were born and brought up, so sorry to hear of this.”

At the time of going to press last night, the JustGiving page had reached £1,050, far beyond its original £200 target.

To support the appeal, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/dundrumvillagefire

A number of homes were damaged in the blaze