Lucky escape as family’s dream home set ablaze

A local family’s joy at moving into their dream home turned into a nightmare early on Monday morning when their new home in Dunderry was targeted in a suspected arson attack. The Earley family had a narrow escape when their home caught fire shortly after 5am on Monday morning but, thankfully, all four members of the family made it out of the house uninjured as the flames took hold. It is understood that a 07 MH black Toyota Hilux crew cab jeep parked at the side of the house was set on fire, and that the fire then spread to the gable end and roof of the house. Gardai are treating the fire as malicious and are appealing for anyone who noticed any suspicous vehicle at the house or heard anything between 5am and 5.30am to contact them. The scene has been technically examined and Gardai have also carried out house-to-house enquiries as part of their investigation. The distraught homeowners are also appealing to anyone with information that may help in the investigation to come forward. Joe and Carmel Earley had just moved into their “ideal home” three weeks ago with their seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. Speaking to the Meath Chronicle yesterday (Tuesday), a distraught Mrs Earley said the family had been terrified when they woke up and realised what was happening. She explained that they woke after hearing a window smash and, when she rushed to her three-year-old son’s bedroom, his bed was covered in glass after a rock had been thrown through the window. “A rock was thrown through my son’s bedroom window and his bed was covered in glass. Then my husband heard the alarm of the jeep going and went to investigate and, when he opened the kitchen door, the kitchen was engulfed in smoke,” said Ms Earley. “I was terrified. The fact that my son’s bed was covered in glass. Every time I close my eyes, I see it, though it could have been so much worse. He could have been injured,” she said. She added that her son could not get to sleep the next night and kept waking up all night in a sweat. “Everything is destroyed. Our furniture was destroyed. The fire spread into the roof and the ceilings started coming down and there was smoke damage and water damage. It is just devastating to look at our home,” Mrs Earley added. She explained that they had only just moved in three weeks ago and that they “considered it to be the best move they ever made”. She added: “We were extremely happy in the house and it was our ideal home.” Mr Earley is from Dunderry originally and the family had been living in Athboy until their recent move to Dunderry. They are currently staying with friends whom Mrs Earley said have been very supportive. Mrs Earley said Gardai are treating the fire as suspicious and that a car was heard driving away from the house at the time. “I don’t know if anybody seen anything but if they noticed or heard anything at all, however small, we would appreciate it if they could contact Trim Gardai.” Trim Fire Service received the report of the fire at 5.10am and when the fire appliance arrived at the scene, the fire had spread from the vehicle into the gable end and roof of the house. Back-up was requested with a further appliance and water tanker from Navan Fire Service providing assistance. The fire had started to travel across the roof of the house but firefighters managed to quench the blaze before the whole roof caught fire. The fire service remained on the scene until 8.30am that morning. Trim Gardai are investigating the cause of the fire which they say they are treating as arson. A Garda spokesperson said a car was heard driving away from the house seconds before the vehicle was set on fire. If anyone noticed or heard a vehicle between 5am and 5.30am in the area or has any other information that may help Gardai with their investigation, they are asked to contact Trim Gardai on (046) 943 1222 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.