(Sorry... I've only just seen this thread. Here's an update I wrote on Anne Lennox-Martin's Facebook wall a few days ago so it's not bang up to date. Going to try ringing him again in a few days for his birthday):

I've just spoken on the phone to Packie, and he's come through his ordeal unscathed, thank God. The fire started just outside, at the back of the house, and Packie had lain down in the front room to rest himself for a moment, and had nearly dozed off when the flashes of light (through the frosted glass of the back door panel) wakened him - so he's DAMN LUCKY he hadn't fallen asleep. It could have been so much worse if he hadn't woken up, with smoke inhalation and all, never mind flames. It gives me the shudders to think about it!

The fire started in the shed very near his back door (which leads directly into the kitchen, for those of you who haven't been there) and the outbuilding is gutted, pretty well gone. There's also some damage to the kitchen roof and the fridge door, which has warped in the heat. The fire department don't yet know what caused it. But his old photographs and Gaelic-illuminated certificates and things are all fine - tho Packie Keeney has spent the day cleaning them! But the house certainly didn't burn down, and his personal possessions are safe.

Packie Manus is currently cuddled up by the fireside at Packie & Eileen Keeney's, so you know he's his normal self. He'll be going into the sheltered housing as mentioned (you can actually see it on Google Maps street view), but only until the damaged part of his house is rebuilt and then he'll move back home. He really likes it there and wants to get back as soon as it's ready, so I hope the council won't take forever. Still, it's a near miss and it's left me shaking. (Time to reach for a glass of Something Medicinal.)