Thankfully we were not at home... all we’re left with are the clothes on our back
A FAMILY left homeless by a fire days before Christmas say they are lucky to be alive.
Midi Walsh, husband Noely, and their four boys have “only the clothes on their backs” after flames took hold of the property and destroyed everything inside.
The devastated mum added: “Our house will have to be gutted and rebuilt. Honestly, we could not afford to have the contents of the house insured so we will be starting from scratch again.”
The family, from just outside Dungarvan in Co Waterford, were shocked at how the blaze started and want to warn others.
Midi said: “The firefighters told me our fire began when the basket holding wood for the stove ignited. Thankfully we were not at home at the time.
“He said timber needs to be 5ft away from a stove. We would like to tell people that.”
The couple and sons Nathan, 11, Leon, seven, Bailey, six, and two-yearold Callum are now staying with family for Christmas. A Gofundme page has been set up to help them rebuild their home and will also go towards replacing their children’s school books as they are homeschooled.
The couple praised the professionalism and kindness of the fire crews who came to their aid and also the gardai.
Midi said: “They were fantastic. The firefighters kept reassuring me they could save the house and they did everything they could to look after us and make sure we were all OK.
“The female garda told Leon that he
CO WATERFORD
would be OK and Santa would find him wherever he was.
“She told him they had a fire when she was small and Santa knew where to find her. A firefighter bent down and waited for one of our dogs to come over to him and then he scooped him up and brought him over to Leon.”
The children were in the car while the fire crews were working and Midi added: “I came back to the car at one stage and the firefighter knew all the kids’ names, the dog’s name and its colour and really comforted them and kept them calm and reassured.
“They told them, ‘We work with Santa all the time and he’ll be able to find you’.
“While we are devastated, we are lucky everyone is alive and safe. I just want to make it all OK for the boys and make them feel secure.
“As long as we are all together, and safe we will be happy.” The family’s network of friends including the homeschool community are among those supporting them as they head into the festive season.
Midi said: “The immediate need for clothes and essential supplies was met within hours of the fire. Our local community gathered and sorted us so amazingly, we are so grateful.
“Our homeschool community and close friends took the reins to organise our needs and thought practically and planned ahead and set up the Gofundme page, so we can try and sort some stability for the kids and meet their needs as they come.”
The couple had renovated their home 10 years ago and now have to start from scratch, and even their belongings that escaped the flames will need to be replaced.
Midi added: “All the contents that were contained within the four walls will have to be destroyed as everything had extensive smoke damage.”
■ If you would like to help the family you can do so at www.gofundme.com/ walsh-family-appeal
While we are totally devastated we’re lucky everyone is alive
MIDI WALSH