Community rallies after new fire attack

Community rallies after new fire attack

14 December 2016

PEOPLE in Newcastle have been praised for their “amazing response” to an online appeal to help tenants who were forced out of their homes following an arson attack at the Burrendale Park Road in the resort last week.

Arsonists targeted the flats during the early hours of last Friday morning — seventh such attack in the area in almost two years.

Four Housing Executive properties were extensively damaged after fire ripped through an apartment block, with four others sustaining extensive smoke damage.

Each of the arson attacks in the area follows a chillingly similar pattern, with heating oil tanks at the rear of the properties set on fire with the blaze spreading to nearby homes. Fire chiefs say it is fortunate no lives were lost during the most recent incident which forced residents to flee for their lives in the middle of the night.

The intensity of last week’s blaze — which started around 3.40am —  was such that the fire spread to properties at the nearby Mourne View estate, destroying one man’s oil tank which set his garage on fire. The fire also cracked double glazing in an adjoining property.

When the fire caught hold it spread in two directions and fire officers were thankful there was no wind to fan the flames which could have caused even more damage. 

A man who suffers from severe hearing difficulties, who lived in one of the upstairs flats, was rescued from the burning building by firefighters who used a ladder to guide him safely to the ground where he was treated by paramedics.

At the height of the blaze, five fire appliances and 25 firefighters were in attendance, taking just over four hours to extinguish the blaze. Residents whose homes were damaged were taken to the Newcastle Centre where they were met by Housing Executive officials to help them find alternative accommodation.

Fire chiefs say the quick actions of the firefighters helped save lives and warned the consequences of the latest arson attack at the housing estate could have been “fatal.”

Sarah Megaw, who launched an online appeal to help those forced to flee their homes, said she was “overwhelmed” by the generosity of people who responded, donating a variety of items including clothes, pots and pans, a bed and mattress, cutlery, hairdryers, make-up and other essentials.

“We established a collection point at the Newcastle Centre and the number of people who ped off a variety of items was heartening. There really was a terrific response,” she said.

Sarah explained the people who were forced out of their homes are now staying with family or in temporary accommodation and were in need of many essential items.

“The appeal was launched on Friday and closed on Sunday as we had been able to provide the tenants with everything they needed,” she continued. “The response was amazing; people were so generous and so giving. The number of items donated over a few days was incredible.”

Sarah, who is part of the Newcastle Helping Hands organisation, said she cannot thank people enough for helping others at a time of need.

She added: “There was an incredible response, with people only too willing to help those whose homes were damaged in the fire.”