'Incredible bravery': Girl, 15, pulls man from burning building in Limerick
The man was asleep in the house in Croom when the teenager ‘pulled him out’
A GIRL, aged 15, is being praised for putting her own life on the line to rescue a man from a burning building in County Limerick.
A fire broke out at O’Connor’s garage on Croom’s Main Street shortly after 11pm on Monday night. The blaze destroyed the business, a house and a number of vehicles.
Damien O’Connor, owner, told Limerick Live that his nephew Daniel Mulcahy was asleep in the house at the time.
“A daughter of my friend Martin, Megan Barrett, went upstairs and pulled him out. He was asleep because he works nights. He was in a daze, she basically pulled him out,” said Damien.
Thankfully Damien’s mother, Maureen, aged 78, hadn’t gone to bed yet and was able to make her own way to safety
Damien said the night is “all a blur”.
“It’s all gone really but the important thing is nobody was hurt,” said Damien, who thanked Limerick Fire and Rescue Service and everybody in the local community who supported them that night and through the early hours of the morning by bringing food and water.
“It was unbelievable, everybody was brilliant. The motor trade too, all the garages, oh my God the amount of calls and offers I’ve got has been unbelievable,” said Damien.
He said it is too early to say if they will rebuild or look for a temporary site to continue the business.
“It’s not real yet,” said Damien. It is not known how the fire started. Eleven appliances from fire stations in Rathkeale, Kilmallock, Newcastle West, Limerick city and Cappamore responded due to the ferocity of the blaze and risk of it spreading further.
Damien’s sister, Eilish, said in a post on social media that there are simply no words to fully express the heartbreak and devastation their family is feeling after the tragic events of Monday night.
“In a matter of hours we lost a place filled with memories, milestones, laughter and love, a home that had been at the heart of our family for generations and a business that had been our livelihood and part of this community for over 50 years.
“To our incredible firefighters and emergency services, thank you for your bravery, professionalism and determination as you fought tirelessly and did everything possible to save what you could. We will never forget your courage and dedication,” wrote Eilish, who paid a heartfelt thank you to Trina O’Dea, Padraig Broderick and staff from Spar, Patricia and all of Croom Civic Centre, Croom FRC, Pizza Corner, Merela's chipper, Plunketts Pharmacy, Daniel Daffy, Richard and John O Donoghue, Hook & Ladder, Niall Collins, all their fantastic neighbours, friends and wider community of Croom.
“There are too many to mention by name for essential supplies and countless acts of kindness. As we watched our father's legacy disappear before our eyes, it was like losing him all over again.
“A special thank you to Megan Barrett, whose incredible bravery in such dangerous circumstances, undoubtedly prevented an even greater tragedy. To her father Martin you went above and beyond for us, we will be forever grateful,” said Eilish.
It breaks our hearts to think of how much worse this could have been not just for us but for our neighbours, she wrote.
“While we have lost our home, business and irreplaceable memories we are so very grateful to our neighbours for their support even when your own homes were at risk.
“There is so much more we want to say but we can't find the words right now, and if I have forgotten anyone I am sorry but just know we are forever grateful.
“On behalf of our family especially mam and her dog Jack, Daniel, Damien, Alice and family from the bottom of our hearts we thank you. We will never forget what the people of Croom and everyone near and far have done for our family.
“And to Damien and Alice, ye fought so hard that night to save your livelihood that ye worked tirelessly for over the years day and night, but I promise ye, we will stand with ye all the way and ye will come back fighting stronger than ever.”
Eilish’s emotional post concludes with a love heart emoji.