House fire displaces three generations of local family
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A devastating house fire in Walderstown has displaced three generations of the Reynolds family, leaving them without a home and relying on the support of their community.
The house on Tones Road was the family home of the late Gerry Reynolds, a renowned uilleann piper and the son of Willie Reynolds, the legendary piper.
His wife Marian, son Gary, daughter Aisling, and grandson Jayden are faced with rebuilding their lives from the ashes.
The fire brigade were called to the scene at 4pm on Saturday evening, with crews attending from both Athlone and Ballymahon.
They left the scene at 8.15pm, after extinguishing flames from both the shed and the roof of the house.
"Everybody was out of the house by the time we arrived, and there were no injuries," said Colum McDaid, Assistant Fire Chief Officer, Athlone Fire Station.
Anthony Reynolds, Gerry’s nephew, described the extent of the damage.
“The house is completely burnt out," he told the Westmeath Independent. "Marian is a pensioner, and to see the family home being destroyed is devastating.
"The house has been their home for over 40 years. They’re all in shock.”
He added that they suspect the fire spread from a shed on the property.
"My father Paul tried to put the fire out with an extinguisher, but it was no use," he said, explaining that when the fire brigade arrived, the entire roof had been destroyed.
"The fireman told me that due to the fire damage, and the water damage from putting it out, the house will more than likely have to be knocked."
Anthony said the family is now trying to arrange accommodation and has set up a GoFundMe page to help Marian and her children get back on their feet.
“It’s an awful situation. Saturday’s dry, windy weather meant the fire just took off. Thankfully, no one was trapped inside, nobody was killed, and that’s the main thing.”
Local Fine Gael councillor, and Walderstown resident, Tom Farrell, said the community would come together to offer their support to the family at this difficult time.
"It's very sad to see something like this happening, but the community will rally together now and try to help out in any way possible," he said. "We are thankful that at least everyone got out of the house, and nobody was injured, which is the main thing."
To support the family, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-of-gerry-reynolds-marian-reynolds-walderstown