Community rallies around family after fire destroys home

A North Galway community is rallying around a couple whose house has been destroyed by fire during an early morning blaze last weekend.

Billy and Marian Staunton had a lucky escape from their home in Moylough as the fire spread quickly through the dwelling.

It was shortly after 7am on Saturday morning that Billy was up making tea in the kitchen when he saw what looked like a fog outside. But on closer examination he discovered that a fire had broken out in the living room.

He alerted his wife Marian who was still in bed and they both made their escape as the fire quickly spread through their home.

“By half eight the house was destroyed,” Billy, who is retired from the building trade, told The Connacht Tribune. “It is just devastating to see your home destroyed.”

Billy immediately raised the alarm as neighbours rallied to try and bring the fire under control. One even came with a fire extinguisher but the blaze spread quickly and it proved impossible to prevent it destroying the house.

Since last weekend’s fire that destroyed everything in their home, they have been living with their daughter but now have the option to rent a house opposite their own home for a number of months while repairs are carried out.

Cllr Michael Connolly spent most of the weekend with the Stauntons while neighbours have been very supportive and are now rallying to try and assist Billy and Marian with the renovations to their home.

“It is times like this that you really appreciate good neighbours and good friends”, Billy said and added that they did great work in securing the building and particularly the roof which is completely destroyed on one side of the house.