Rapid response of New Ross fire crew key to successful rescue
IF not for the speedy response and bravery of New Ross firemen at least three lives would have been lost on Friday.
This is the view of County Wexford’s Chief Fire Officer Paul L’Estrange, who said: ‘Because of them there are three kids alive today.’
The fire broke out under the stairs of a three story house on upper Mary Street in New Ross, the home of a family of seven who are originally from Poland. Three fire crews attended the scene, two of which arrived from New Ross within seven minutes of receiving the call at 3.30 p.m.
Having been alerted to the fire by builder Peter O’Neill who tried to enter the building only to be overcome with black smoke, the firemen used a ladder to pull two children aged nine and seven and their father, a man in his 30s, from the three-storey building’s top floor.
As they were being carried from the smoke filled building, the eldest child pointed back inside and shouted that his brother was still inside.
The child, believed to 2, was heard coughing and was found lying on the floor next to his bed. He was carried downstairs and CPR was performed on him on Mary Street by paramedics.
By this time several ambulances, fire tenders and garda cars were at the scene and a section of Mary Street near the Bewley Street junction was closed to traffic.
Oxygen was given to Mr O’Neill and all four family members on the roadside.
The youngest child was removed by ambulance to University Hospital Waterford with fears growing for his wellbeing as he took a turn on the way.
His father and brothers were also taken by ambulance to the hospital, while his mother and older siblings were notified about the fire which was contained by the firemen, however extensive water, smoke and fire damage ravaged the building.
Sgt Eddie Wilde said gardaí arrived at the scene at around 3.50 p.m. where they met with firemen led by Cyril McGarr.
Sgt Wilde said gardaí are approaching the investigation into the fire with an open mind. ‘ We will be liaising with the fire service. There are a lot of potential issues and we have to see what caused the incident.’
Describing the actions of 47-yearold Mr O’Neill, who by sheer chance happened to be working on the building next door, as ‘as brave as you can get’, Sgt Wilde said; ‘ He raised the alarm so full credit to him and to the fire service.’
The children were still being treated at University Hospital Waterford on Monday and the family are being accommodated by New Ross Municipal District council until they can find a new home.
Mr L’Estrange said the seat of the fire was under the stairs, adding that its cause is being investigated.
‘ The fire fighters of New Ross deserve the highest thanks and praise. Because of them the lives of three kids were saved. That is the real positive outcome of this story. There was an extremely good job of work done and they made a difference when it mattered most.’
Describing the job of all of the fire fighters as thoroughly competent and professional, Mr L’Estrange said their experience and training stood to them in a very testing situation.
Following the fire Mr L’Estrange raised concerns about the building, which was renovated internally in 2017.
On foot of this engineers from the local authority visited the site on Friday and put in place a survey programme which is ongoing.