DISSENSION RISING Save U.S. Family from House Fire… Posted: 23/05/2016 by John O'Brien

Irish rockers DISSENSION RISING hailed heroes after help save more than a dozen people (including a baby and three children) from a house fire in the U.S.

The Kildare metallers were on tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey, when they escaped the blaze after waking up to the sound of a smoke alarm at a friend’s house. The musicians and their management team, all from Kildare and Longford, woke up their four New Jersey friends in the old wood-framed house and helped guide them to safety as thick black smoke and flames spread through the property at 5.30am on May 14.

When they got outside they heard screams coming from a basement apartment where there were five children, all under five, and four adults also trying to escape. Singer Danni Carroll (18), lead guitarist Keith Garrett (21), drummer Kian Johnston (17), rhythm guitarist Rob Higgins (20), along with their manager and driver Dorothea and Justin Carroll, all rushed to help.

Justin, from Kilmeague, Co Kildare, said: “We didn’t realise there was another family who lived in the basement until Danni shouted she could hear screams. Danni and Keith ran around the back of the house followed by myself and Mr Vasquez (the father of the family who lived upstairs). We were met by a woman carrying a child. Danni asked if anyone else was in the house and she said ‘yes, the kids are in there.’ There was panic inside the apartment, which was quickly filling with smoke. A policeman had just arrived on the scene and the officer, Mr Vasquez and myself started getting people out of there. They were in shock and the babies were crying. It was chaos, but all the band wanted to do was help and get everyone out.”
“The families and the fire brigade involved all kept saying to everyone that if we had not been there, or if we had not reacted when and how we did, ten minutes later everyone would be dead from smoke inhalation.”

DISSENSION RISING, who return to Ireland this week after a six-week tour for their EP Retribution, are donating the proceeds from their band merchandise sales to a fundraiser, which has been organised for June 3 at the Boneyard Bar in Atlantic City.
The Red Cross organised accommodation for them but a Go Fund Me page has been set up to help them find a new home…

“The Vasquez family along with housemate Dane Romantino lost pretty much everything due to an electrical fire that broke out in their home.  All clothes, furniture, instruments, and even an in home recording studio were destroyed. While, thankfully, everyone (including the cats!) came out safe, they are in dire need of financial support so they can rebuild and get on their feet again.”

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/248tuv8.

DISSENSION RISING links…
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
REVERBNATION
YOUTUBE
TWITTER