Fire fighters rally as colleague loses ‘virtually everything’ in serious house fire

Nation Cymru staff

Firefighters are supporting a colleague after a devastating blaze destroyed the home he shares with his family.

Brecon Fire Station group manager Phil Morris and his partner Donna were left with little more than the clothes they had with them after the serious house fire, according to his colleagues.

The crew are helping to raise the profile of a JustGiving page which was set up by the Cefn Gorwydd community which aims to raise £10,000 “to Help Donna and Phillip after losing their house to a devastating house fire”.

The target was initially set at £10,000, but has already far exceeded that and currently stands at over £22,000.

At a time when more attention has been paid to Wales’ overstretched fire services than ever, with wildfires burning across much of the nation, friends and colleagues of Phil are hoping that Welsh communities are able in some way to give back to a cause they’re all eager to publicise.

Brecon Fire Station’s social media post reads: “Wednesday night, our station received a call that none of us ever expected to receive.

“We were mobilised to a serious domestic fire, but this wasn’t just another incident. The house belonged to our Group Manager Phil Morris, and his family.

“Tragically, the fire has left the family having lost virtually everything. Their home and possessions have been devastated, and they have been left with little more than the clothes they had with them.

“As firefighters, we’re used to being the ones who turn up when somebody is having one of the worst days of their life. We go in, do everything we can to help and try to make a terrible situation that little bit better.

“But when that call is for one of your own, it really hits home.

“GM Morris has devoted so much of his life and career to the Fire and Rescue Service, helping others when they need it most.”

“He has been an inspiration to so many of us and an incredible fire officer, colleague and friend.

“Now it’s our opportunity to be there for him and his family.”

“The community have set up this JustGiving page to try and take away even a small amount of the pressure they are facing. The money raised will help with the immediate essentials and give the family some support as they begin the incredibly difficult process of getting back on their feet and rebuilding their lives.

“If you can spare anything at all, no matter how small, it would mean an enormous amount. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this post and the JustGiving link would be hugely appreciated.

“When someone has spent their life helping others, hopefully we can now come together and return some”

Wildfires

Gareth Tovey, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales, shared earlier this week that members were reporting “carnage” as they battled multiple incidents after weeks of wildfires across the country.

He said: “What our members out there, firefighters on the ground, are saying, is that the conditions in which they’re fighting these fires are materially different from what we’ve experienced before – it’s so much drier.”

“We’re seeing fires progress into areas and expand in ways that we haven’t necessarily seen before.”

He said firefighters were working 10 or 11-hour shifts on mountainsides without breaks or access to toilets, eating meals “covered in soot”.

“Devastating”

The fundraiser for Brecon Fire Station’s Group Manager, Phil Morris reads: “A local family in our Cefn Gorwydd community has recently suffered a devastating house fire, losing the place they called home along with many of their belongings.

“For a family, a home is so much more than four walls. It’s where children grow, birthdays and holidays are celebrated, meals are shared, and precious family memories are made. To suddenly lose that sense of home, comfort, and security is something no family should have to face alone.

“As they begin the overwhelming process of putting their lives back together, we would love to show them just how much their community cares. We are raising money to help with clothing, food, temporary accommodation, everyday essentials, and the many unexpected costs they will face in the weeks and months ahead.

“No donation is too small. Every pound raised will help this family find their feet again and begin rebuilding a safe and loving home.

“If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this fundraiser can make a real difference too.

“Please come together with us and help this family through an incredibly difficult time. Let’s remind them that although they may have lost their home, they have not lost the love and support of their community.”

Help support the fundraiser here.

---

Get more trusted Welsh news

Choose Nation.Cymru as a preferred source in Google News to see more of our journalism.