Fundraiser for Laois fire victims
Still from a video taken by Junior Dowling at the scene of the apartment block blaze
A FUNDRAISER for victims of a devastating Laois blaze has collected almost €1,500 in the first 12 hours.
The online appeal ‘Families affected by fire in Kilnacourt Woods Portarlington’, which was set up last night, reached €1,472 by 10am today.
The gofundme appeal was set up by rental tenant Caroline O’Sullivan, on behalf of all residents of Block B at Kilnacourt Woods, who lost their homes and most of their belongings in the terrifying fire last Thursday.
Residents of the 18-unit apartment block include a couple with a seven-month-old baby and a couple with two children, aged 10 and seven. They have emergency accommodation in a hotel until 10 March.
Caroline, who lived at The Oaks since 2019, explains in the fundraiser:
‘On Thursday 20 February, in the early hours of the morning, a fire broke out in Block B, The Oaks Kilnacourt Woods Portarligton Co Laois. Two men were taken to hospital with serious injuries and 17 families were evacuated from the building, while the blaze was brought under control.
‘In the days that followed the families were placed in temporary accommodation and will remain there for two weeks. After that it is the unknown for them. These families were evacuated with just the clothes on their backs and there is little hope of them being able to salvage anything due to water and smoke damage.
‘We are asking for donations to help these families so they can replace some of what has been lost to them. All donations gratefully received. Thank you.’
Meanwhile, Killenard community centre will open for donations of new children’s clothes for the families today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday) from 1.30pm-2pm. Sizes needed are for a boy (10), girl (7) and a seven-month-old baby girl.
