Fiona here again - resident in Ardara and friend of Packie.

He is doing OK, and thankfully the house fire wasn't as bad as it could have been. I called in to see it with him the day after, and while the house is quite smoke damaged, it is not too bad. It looks like the fire started in the boiler house, which is adjoining the house - it is pretty much burned down.

The house is OK, but it must have been pretty hot as lots of the plastic things melted, including the smoke alarm, the curtain rail, the top of the fridge, and his phone line!!! It will take lots of redecoration though, and probably some work to the roof as it was quite burned.

Packie's neighbour saw the fire and raised the alarm. He headed in to get him, and managed to take a lot off his photos down from the wall before they had to get out, so at least most of them are OK.

Packie moved into the local sheltered housing unit last week. It is a great place, with someone nearby all the time, and as much company as he wants. There is a weekly drop in day centre meets there, and he went to that this week - it might be the perfect solution for him, if he agrees to stay there.

Plan to see him next week for his birthday and hopefully have a bit of music.

Cards sent to him at St Shannaghans House, Ardara, will get to him.

Will let him know about this thread - I'm sure he will appreciate the attention!!

Fiona.