Almost €6k raised for family after Clara house fire

An online fundraising appeal to support a Clara family whose home was extensively damaged in a fire last week had raised almost €6,000 up to the time of writing yesterday (Thursday).

The fire broke out at a house in Aghamore, Clara, on Tuesday afternoon of last week, November 23.

Firefighters from Clara and Tullamore attended the scene at 4.15pm that day.

Offaly assistant chief fire officer Denis Canty said the fire was brought under control relatively quickly but firefighters remained working at the scene until around 9pm.

"There was a lot of damage to the house, with the fire being mostly in the attic," said Mr Canty.

In the following days, an online 'Go Fund Me' appeal was launched in support of the Melia family.

"As you all may be aware, Melia's family home was destroyed by a fire on Tuesday evening," wrote Amie McGuinness, the organiser of the Go Fund Me appeal, on the fundraising page last week.

"The house was completely gutted and they have lost everything.

“It's heartbreaking to see. As a community, we all need to come together and help them in their hour of need.

"I know it's such a hard time of year for everyone but any donation, big or small is greatly appreciated and will go a long way," she added.

There has been a significant response to the appeal over the last week with €5,715 having been raised, at the time of writing, from over 100 individual donations. Look up ‘Help the Melia’s rebuild their home’ on GoFundMe to donate.