A community has rallied behind a well-known Newry photographer after his house caught on fire on Sunday evening.
Mark Pearce runs the popular ‘Newry Uns’ Facebook page often documenting the comings and goings of his hometown.
However, his latest yarns have been more of a personal trauma after he returned from a jaunt to discover his house in Damolly ablaze on Sunday (June 22).
While the damage is yet to be fully surveyed, the upstairs portion of the property, according to a devastated Mark, has suffered significant damage.
Fortunately, Mark and his beloved dog Max, were not at home at the time and were uninjured.
However, Mark did issue a cautionary note as he said the fire started as a result of a melted candle atop a metal filing cabinet – nowhere is safe for an unattended candle in the home!
But in a true show of community spirit – spurred on by friendly rivalry – a GoFundMe has been set up by Newry.ie‘s Columba O’Hare and it has had a phenomenal response so far.
Set up on Monday morning, the fundraiser has garnered almost £2,000 in donations.
“I just want to give my friend (and media rival) Mark Pearce and his four legged companion, Max, a wee hand up following the fire at his house in Damolly, Newry yesterday evening.
“Mark runs the popular Newry Un’s social media enterprise and is very well known around Newry and further afield. Currently it’s not known the full extent of damage to his house but he won’t be able to live there for the present and will have to start again at another place with all the costs associated.”
Mark is currently set up in the Carrickdale Hotel but has been separated – during the night, at least – from Max. It’s unclear how long Mark will be displaced but all the support is wholly welcomed.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
