Enfield fire leaves four households homeless

A fire which gutted a home in Johnstown Way, Enfield, and resulted in extensive damage to adjoining properties, left four households homeless this week.

In the aftermath of the devastating blaze, the local community has rallied to support those impacted and a 'Go Fund Me' appeal has been set up with €6,400 donated to date.

Two families, each with three children, are among those who have not been able to return to their homes, following the fire which broke out at a neighbouring property in the early hours of Tuesday morning, resulting in extensive damage to their homes.

One family has managed to secure temporary accommodation until their home is repaired but the other is desperately looking for somewhere to rent and the family of five is currently sleeping in the sitting room of a friend's house.

They had been renting their home but the fire which broke out next door caused a lot of damage to their home, both fire and water damage and it will need extensive repairs before it will be habitable again.

Thankfully no serious injuries were reported though one man who was living in the house where the fire broke out was taken to hospital. It is understood he left hospital the next day.

Another man living in the same block of houses has also not been able to return to his home.

The alarm was raised at around 1.30am on Tuesday, 20th May with units from Trim, Navan and Kells Fire Service attending the blaze which badly damaged one of the houses and caused the roof to collapse. Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading but there was some fire damage and water damage to the adjoining properties.

Ruth and John were renting their house, which is next door to the one where the fire started and were asleep when the alarm was raised. They have three children aged from four to nine.

"We were sleeping. Myself and my husband woke up about 1am, we could hear cracking sounds. We walked out to the staircase to see what it was and shortly after there was somebody banging on the front door shouting fire fire, come out immediately.

"We immediately dragged the children out of bed and took our box of credentials and rushed out the door. We saw the family from the house the other side were already out.

"The house beside us was burning to the roof. I asked anyone had called 999 and they had. The fire had gone wild."

She told how the bedrooms upstairs had been badly damaged with the ceiling collapsing. She explained that as the firefighters tried to quell the fire, there was water everywhere.

"We are homeless now," said Ruth, who is desperate to find somewhere in Enfield so they don't have to disrupt their children's schooling.

They are relying on the generosity of friends who have put them up in their sitting room as a temporary measure until they can find somewhere. However, it this is over half an hour's drive from Enfield where their children attend school.

"We want to stay in Enfield because of the children, they are settled in school and childcare," she said and appealed to anyone who may have a house to rent locally to let them know.

She thanked the people of the estate and local community for their support. "People have been so nice, they are good people," said Ruth.

Neighbours in the estate and the wider community have rallied to help those affected and a Go Fund Me appeal was set up by neighbours the next day to help the households affected with their immediate needs. Local businesses have also been giving their support.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by searching for 'Friends & Neighbours of Johnstown Way, Enfield' on gofundme.com or by clicking here.