‘All we could do was stand and watch it go up in flames’
COMMUNITY RALLIES TO AID OF YOUNG COUPLE WHOSE HOME IS GUTTED IN FIRE
FAMILY and friends have rallied around a young couple whose thatched home in Ballyedmond was gutted by fire on St Stephen’s Day.
‘All we could do was stand on the side of the road and watch it go up in flames,’ said devastated owner Vicki Hynes. ‘It was absolutely surreal.’
Vicki, and her partner Darren Furlong, were alerted to the fire in the thatched roof at 2.30 p.m. when their dogs started barking.
Vicki, (38), said that one of the dogs, Meeka, was running in and out of the house, while the other two, Bell and Odin, were also barking. ‘We went out the back door, and then we noticed the chimney was smouldering and there were flames.’
It’s thought a spark from the chimney may have set the thatch alight. Several of the terrified dogs ran into the house, and had to be located and brought to safety.
Despite the prompt arrival of Gorey Fire Service, the house, which was rebuilt in 2004 by Vicki’s parents Tommy and Gretta, could not be saved, and it was completely gutted. Just the four walls were left standing.
The devastated couple have lost not only their home but also their belongings, and they are being supported by family members, friends, and the local community.
‘People have been amazing,’ said Vicki. ‘We want to say a huge thank you to everybody. We’ve had loads of offers of help and housing.’
They also thanked the fire crew for their work on the day. The fire fighters helped save some photographs.
They remained on scene for four hours, bringing the blaze under control, and ensuring all was safe. The cottage will be familiar to many as it is located at the entrance to the village on the Gorey to Wexford road.
Vicki and Darren are staying temporarily with his mother while they decide what to do next.
Also over the holiday, Gorey fire crew were called to The Amber Springs Hotel at 5 p.m. on Christmas Day to deal with a fire in the wood pellet storage area which is attached to the heating system.
The blaze was discovered by two staff. The hotel was closed at the time, and fortunately, the hotel itself emerged unscathed. The crew remained on scene to 9 p.m.