Firefighter and dad-of-six left devastated after losing house in blaze

A firefighter and a dad-of-six from Co Donegal has been left devastated after he lost his family home and all his possessions house in a blaze. Fergal Gatins, who works for the Donegal Firefighters Association, along with his wife Niamh and their six children, lost everything in the inferno at their home in Killybegs on Thursday night. Gardaí and fire services responded to report of a fire at a residence in Killybegs at approximately 8.40pm on Thursday evening. The road at Killybegs Common National School and from Parkhead Estate to Corporation, Killybegs had been temporarily closed as emergency services dealt with the incident. Thankfully, no injuries were reported but the family have been left with just their clothes on their back. The Donegal Firefighters Association has since set up a GoFundMe to help the family get back on their feet. They wrote: "The Donegal Firefighters Association have launched this GoFundMe campaign to support our member and Firefighter in Killybegs Fire Brigade, Fergal Gatins and his family after the devastating fire that destroyed their home and all their possessions on Thursday night last, 26th June 2026. "Fergal and his wife Niamh have six children, ranging in ages from 10 to 24 years of age and have been left with only the clothes on their back after the fire ravaged through their home. "We at the Donegal Firefighters Association are asking the local community, Fire Service community and beyond to raise much-needed funds for the Gatins Family to help them buy essential supplies and get back on track while they face this terrible ordeal they have found themselves in. "Any donation, no matter how small will go a long way on getting the Gatins Family back on their feet." Generous punters have already raised more than half of their €100,000 target. Donations can be made here . Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.