Crowd-funding campaign for families affected by fire in Cork estate

Almost €3,000 has been raised to support families impacted by a recent fire in a residential estate in Cork city.

The incident, which occurred two weeks ago in the Palmbury Orchard estate in Togher, saw up to five families displaced and one woman, named locally as Eileen O'Leary, fatally injured.

The scene was attended by several units of the service with a total of 19 firefighters working over four hours to contain it.

According to a spokesperson for the Cork City Fire Service, the blaze had originated in one home but ultimately spread to the two homes on either side of the residence, and further afield.

In the weeks following the incident, a GoFundMe was launched, with an initial target set at €3,500.

Karen Arnold, creator of the fundraiser, said it is “time to pay it forward” for those who were impacted by the incident.

“It was a miracle that more lives weren’t lost as the fire swept through attics,” said Ms Arnold.

“These homeowners, living here from 30 to 45 years, were told when the fires were out that because they weren’t city council housing, they would have to source their own accommodation and board up the houses themselves.

“Some of these residents have secured rented accommodation from three to 12 months while their houses will be rebuilt, but we are desperately seeking accommodation for a family of six to be able to rent to stay together for three months, and a family of three for 12 months.

“It’s time to pay it forward – run a coffee morning or host a no uniform day.

“These residents have given to the community all their lives, they are a local school caretaker, a tidy towns volunteer, a soccer coach, members of residents committees, parents associations, and a carer.” 

Additional efforts to raise money for the impacted families also took place across Togher this week, with collection boxes stationed across local shops and businesses.

The online donations page will remain open until further notice, with a total of €2,947 raised at the time of print.

For more see https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-families-of-palmbury-orchard.