Community rallies around Longford family following house fire

The community of Lanesboro rallied around one of its families recently following a fire at a well-known home in the town.

Monday morning, March 7, saw fire fighting teams from Lanesboro and Longford tackle a blaze in the home of the Ryan family, after the alarm was raised at approximately 6am.

Seadna, Teresa and their son Duileach managed to safely evacuate the house and have received help and support from the local community.

"The family is very highly respected in Lanesboro and someone gave the family a house in the town and helped them to move their stuff," said local councillor Gerard Farrell.

"Lanesboro Tidy Towns helped out a lot as well. Seadna and his family would be very involved in the local community.

"I'd like to commend members of the community that all came together to help the Ryan family. The house can be fixed but we're very glad the family are okay."

Local man and Lanesboro notes correspondent for the Longford Leader Joe O'Brien also commended the community for their kind offers of help and support and praised members of the local fire fighting teams for their quick action.

"Both Lanesboro fire tenders responded to the fire in what was remarkable short time considering that everyone got the call when they were sleeping at 6am," he said.

"Lanesboro was also supported by a fire tender from Longford town. It just goes to show how absolutely essential it is to have the fire station in our community and how vital it is to have those highly trained and qualified personnel working for us in our time of need."