Photo of the scene by Columbia Hillen
A GORSE fire that broke out in Cnoc Fola on Thursday afternoon destroyed a forest much used by the community. Fire engines from Gaoth Dobhair, Falcarragh and Dungloe rushed to the scene at around 1.30pm as local residents tried to keep the blaze on Chapel Road under control.
However, it spread quickly and nearby residents feared they may have to be evacuated. Speaking to the Donegal News resident Columbia Hillen, founder of Center for the Imagination, a website design company based in Brinalack, said it was a very scary experience.
Ms Hillen said: “Part of our shrubs were burnt outside our home. We were afraid that we would have to be evacuated and just leave the house. The smoke was so dense I couldn’t see out.”
Ms Hillen, who has lived in Cnoc Fola for ten years, said she hadn’t see anything like it before. She praised the hard work of the firemen who were working on extinguishing the flames up to 10.30pm on Thursday night. Ms Hillen said teams were back out on Friday morning because they were afraid the fire would start again.
She said: “The fire started west of the forest but because the wind was blowing it pushed the fire towards it. It is a 30 year old forest and much of it is destroyed. It is beside the community centre and it is used by a lot of children. It’s a beautiful place.”
Local Sinn Fein Councillor John Seamais O Fearraigh was praised for his efforts in helping control the fire.
Cllr O Fearraigh said: “I would like to thank the fire services from Gweedore, Falcarragh and Dungloe and members of our own community in Cnocfola for their response when a gorse fire occurred which could have had serious consequences on our community with our community centre and church along with houses in its path.
“People need to be careful when lighting or burning outside their houses.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)