Peter & Trish Curtis as home destroyed in fire

As told by Ali.

Friday the 12th of August started off like a normal Friday but ended very differently.

My usual good night phone call to Mum & Dadeo was at 8pm, where they said they were going to sit out the back for the evening as it was still so nice out, they hadn’t been able to do that recently due to Dadeo’s medical issues the last few months.

So when I got a call back from his mobile at 8.50pm I was curious as to why, we already said our good nights and our I love yous.

What I answered the phone to will stay with me forever… it wasn’t my Dadeo’s voice but people screaming & shouting, “where’s Trish?”, “move the car before it catches fire”, “the fire brigade is on the way”

I was calling “hello Dadeo, hello” but there was no reply, my heart was racing but sinking all at the same time, why was no one answering me, I was called. I hung up & rang Mums phone & after a few rings she answered & I’ll NEVER forget her words “Ali the house is on fire”. I could hardly breath let alone speak/think. I said I’d be right there, Jono jumped straight in the car & went over & I waited to see who would answer to mind the kids, who were fast asleep. Thankfully two of my friends arrived over, Kate & Lorraine, who I’ll forever be thankful to.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to arrive to as there was a “mention” of it just being their bedroom but little did I know that was not the case.

The smoke could be seen for miles as it was such a clear night. There was 4 fire brigades, a Garda car & an ambulance. My lovely family home completely covered in smoke & flames, it was like something out of a movie. Awaiting my brother Jeff to arrive on Saturday from the UK was extremely tough, no words could describe the devastation he was going to see. This house that was always home to us but is, was my parents whole life! They moved into this house 44 years ago after getting married, it wasn’t in great shape when they bought it I’m told, but they saved hard, built it up, decorated it & put their own stamp on it! Over the years changing it to suit their tastes! The walls of the house are bursting with love & memories, or at least they were!

The fire started in their bedroom at the front, but it didn’t end there. It completely destroyed every room. The attic is completely destroyed, the roof tiles smashed so the firemen could gain access to put water in to try to contain it.

So there is not one area of the house that wasn’t destroyed. All the years of memories, keep sakes, our childhood toys, collectibles, camping gear, photos, VHS family holiday memories all gone! The Christmas decorations my Mum has been collecting since they married all gone in one night. All their clothes, shoes, kitchen appliances & electronics all gone! The saying “left with nothing but the clothes on your back” has never been more true!

They were also so concerned about Olivia, Jake & Regan, how were they going to be effected at seeing their grand parents house totally gutted! Olivia said “I’m sure it will be ok if you just wash the black off everything”

We are lucky they were out in the back garden as we all know it could have been so much worse, but the heart break at looking at the family home completely destroyed will be etched in our minds & hearts forever! How quickly things can change! Trying to salvage anything we can, is absolutely heart breaking as you know we will never get that smell of smoke, and that black grime off anything. Don’t even mention the water damage! That is etched on everything, forever.