Gardaí hailed for saving Carrick-on-Suir pensioner from house fire
Two gardaí on patrol in Carrick-on-Suir roused Patrick Tobin from his bed when they saw his home was on fire
The family of a 67-year-old Carrick-on-Suir man whose home was badly damaged in a fire last week, have paid tribute to two gardaí who saved his life by rousing him from his bed after they spotted smoke billowing from the building.
Sgt. Mick Hubbard and Gda. Lisa Prendergast noticed the chimney of Patrick (Pa) Tobin's house on fire as they passed his home on Mill Street while on patrol in the town between 11.30pm and 11.45pm on Monday, November 2.
Mr Tobin, who was only recently home from hospital following heart surgery, had retired to bed but the gardai knocked on his front door after seeing the smoke and roused him.
“They banged down the door to alert him. He got such a fright; he thought someone was breaking in,” said Patrick’s daughter Samantha Stuart. “He came to the door, and they got him out before the fire brigade arrived. The fire brigade told us that if he had stayed in the house another 10 to 15 minutes, the smoke would have got into his chest.
“We are so grateful to the gardaí, fire service, ambulance and his neighbours for their help,” added Samantha.
GoFundMe Appeal
Mr Tobin's family have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community, who have rallied around them and up to this morning (Thursday, November 12) had donated more than €16,900 to the Help Fix Patrick's House GoFundMe appeal for the repair and renovation of Patrick's two-storey end-of-terrace house.
Samantha said the family has also received offers of help from local tradespeople to renovate the house.
Her father is a builder by trade and she points out he would be the first one to offer his time and expertise to help someone in a similar situation to him.
“Everyone knows the type of person my Dad is. He is just a giver and really helpful person. Anytime there is a flood on Mill Street he would be the first person to get the boat and take people out of the houses. That is the main reason there has been such an outpouring of support for him.”
The GoFundMe appeal was set up by Samantha and her sisters Louise and Grace last Thursday night as her father hadn't fire insurance cover when the blaze broke out at his home.
Samantha explained her father spent 12 weeks in hospital after undergoing a double heart bypass operation and was only home two weeks when the fire happened.
“With all that was going on, he had totally forgotten about renewing the fire insurance policy and it lapsed.”
In the introduction message to the GoFundMe Appeal, Samantha pointed out it hadn't been an easy decision for his family to set up the fundraising campaign.
“The fire and water caused extensive damage to his home. Almost everything has to go, including flooring, carpets, furniture and bedding. So much of what made his house a home has been damaged or lost," she wrote.
“Dad has no insurance cover, and the cost of repairing the damage and replacing these essentials is beyond what he can afford.
“He is still recovering, and his health means he cannot take on the work himself, although he would be the first to roll up his sleeves if he could.
“As his family, we are doing everything we can to help, but we need support to get his home safe and comfortable again.
“Any money raised will go towards repairs, flooring, furniture, bedding and the essentials he needs to return home,” she stressed.
“It is difficult to ask for help, but we want Dad to be able to focus on his recovery without the worry of how he will put his home back together.”
If you wish to donate to the appeal, log onto Help Fix Patrick's House GoFundMe page.