People’s reaction to the fire has been astounding and is very humbling

People’s reaction to the fire has been astounding and is very humbling

6 January 2016

A CASTLEWELLAN couple who were forced to flee their burning Mill Hill home during the early hours of Boxing Day say they are “absolutely overwhelmed” by the support they have received since.

Gerard and Iona Finlay have also praised a neighbour, who raised the alarm at 4.20am, describing him as an “unsung hero” and someone they will never be able to thank for what he did. 

The couple — who have two young children — have also been blown away by the generosity of people who have donated money, clothes and toys in the wake of the fire which started in a house next door and quickly spread to their home and one other property.

A social media appeal was launched to help the family who were left with virtually nothing but a few clothes and some toys, with donations beginning to pour in from across the globe. The current total stands at just over £11,000.

After celebrating what they described as the “perfect Christmas” with daughters Gracie (5) and one year-old Niamh and family members, Gerard and Iona retired to bed around 11pm.

As they slept, smoke from the fire next door seeped into their home and triggered smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, waking Mrs Finlay who momentarily thought her mobile phone alarm had gone off.

Within seconds, she heard her neighbour, Paul Valentine, banging at the front door, shouting there was a fire and telling them to get out.

“Gerard and I were in the bedroom at the back of the house with Niamh while Gracie was in a front bedroom next to the room in the adjoining house which was on fire,” Mrs Finlay recalled.

“I could hear the panic in Paul’s voice and knew things were bad. I said to Gerard we had to get out and we ran to the front door.

“I had a quick look around when I came downstairs as my first reaction was to see if the fire was in our house and is this our fault?  All I could see was smoke in the living room and after Paul had knocked the door he ran to get a sledgehammer. He said if we were not at the door by the time he got back he was going to knock it in.

“I took Niamh and put her in Paul’s house with Gerard lifting Gracie and taking her next door as well. As I left our house I noticed a PVC window frame in the house next door melting as a result of the intensity of the flames which were spreading.

“The fire was well established at this stage and we were the first ones out.  A man who lived in the house which was on fire was also outside and Paul and I alerted the other immediate neighbours, wrapping front and back doors.

Mr Finlay believes his family were able to get out of their home with minutes to spare thanks to Mr Valentine’s quick reactions and the alarms in their home being activated.

He also thanked his friend Ruairi O’Neill for setting up the social media appeal, explaining he was one of his first friends on the scene following the fire.

“People’s generosity has been overwhelming especially at what is an expensive time of year,” Mr Finlay continued. Donations have come from Australia, New Zealand, America, England, Scotland and all over Ireland. It really is so overwhelming. People we do not know or have never met have been donating money.

“We have a wonderful family and a magical set of friends. People have been contacting us to see if they can donate gifts to the kids as they lost their Santa presents in the fire. People’s reaction has been astounding and is very humbling.”

Mr Finlay said people started calling at his parents’ home on Boxing Day with bags of clothes, as well as toiletries and toys for his children.

“The community spirit in Castlewellan and the surrounding areas is extremely high but it has just gone supersonic. We have never been on the receiving end of such generosity and what has happened really does restore your faith in human nature.

The Finlay family are encouraging people to check their smoke alarms are working properly and to have them fitted alongside carbon monoxide alarms.

Mr Finlay added: “We will never be able to thank all those who have done so much for us, but want to highlight the efforts and support of the Fire and Rescue Service, St. Vincent de Paul, British Red Cross, family, friends, the local community and everyone who has donated gifts or money via social media. You hear about things like this happening but when you are the focal point it really is overwhelming.”