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Jake Wood and Eimear Flanagan have composed a piece for BBC News NI detailing the harrowing experience of Padraig McMahon, a man who had to evacuate his house, pets, and farm animals due to a deliberate wildfire nearing his property. McMahon expressed his gratitude towards the firefighters who were able to save his home from the rapidly spreading blaze, stating that he “owes everything” to them. The incident occurred in Ballygawley, County Tyrone, during one of the 214 wildfires that have occurred in Northern Ireland recently, many of which have been suspected to be started intentionally.
As McMahon’s house faced imminent danger, he received a call urging him to evacuate his animals to ensure their safety. With the blaze closing in, McMahon hurried home to rescue his seven horses, goats, and cats. The situation became chaotic as neighbors assisted in moving the animals to safety in nearby fields. McMahon recalled the intense heat and smoke, feeling disoriented as he struggled to protect his home and animals. Despite the terrifying ordeal, he credited the firefighters for saving his property and expressed his immense gratitude for their heroic efforts.
In response to the wildfires, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service deployed 40 fire personnel and 29 fire appliances to combat the blaze near Ballygawley. David Harbinson, Area Commander with NIFRS, described the operation as challenging, with crews working tirelessly to contain the wildfires across the region. The firefighters faced exhaustion as they responded to over 1,600 calls in a span of five days, tackling various large blazes in areas such as the Mourne Mountains, Belfast, Newry, and Ballygawley. Despite the immense efforts to control the fires, the landscape suffered significant damage, prompting warnings for the public to avoid affected areas until further notice.
Additionally, a gorse fire on Divis and Black Mountain in Belfast, believed to be started deliberately, was extinguished by a team of 26 firefighters. The challenging terrain, including peat bogs, posed difficulties for the firefighters in their efforts to contain the blaze. Concerns have been raised about the dry conditions contributing to the spread of wildfires, prompting calls for a review of burning laws in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard highlighted the need for stricter regulations, emphasizing the importance of controlled burning to prevent future incidents of arson. With wildfires posing a significant threat to both property and wildlife, authorities are urging vigilance and adherence to regulations to mitigate the risk of such devastating events in the future
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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