Charred Fates

Whole villages were burnt to the ground: 37 residents remained homeless. Chernobyl forests have been burning for the third week. In the night April 16-17, 2020 the fire spread from forest to the small forest villages of Ovruch district, Zhytomyr region: Magdin, Lychmany, Ostrovy. The wind was so strong that the fire swept villages within minutes. People rushed out their houses.

Whole villages were burnt to the ground: 37 residents remained homeless. Chernobyl forests have been burning for the third week. In the night April 16-17, 2020 the fire spread from forest to the small forest villages of Ovruch district, Zhytomyr region: Magdin, Lychmany, Ostrovy. The wind was so strong that the fire swept villages within minutes. People rushed out their houses.

They try to save themselves they released cattle from the barns. “The father released the rabbits from cages to let them escape, and we took away the cow and the mare and ran to the ditch. We thought, if the fire reaches us — we will dive into the water, “- eight-year-old Artem from the village of Ostrovy is still black from the smoke. Thanks to support and kindness of other people, his parents managed to save the house. But not everyone was so lucky.

The wooden house burned to the ground in thirty minutes. S. Magdin — 24 houses were burnt, Lychmany — 15 houses, Octrovy — 17 houses. No roof over the heads, no belongings, no food: 37 residents of these villages (a lot of children among them) were left with nothing. People were evacuated to a nearby village however in the morning they were where their homes would stand yesterday. When asked by volunteers what they lack, people — with eyes full of tears- responded: “My home”.

Your help and support will be needed and highly appreciated by fire victims for the primary needs: to provide temporary housing, the purchase of tools and building/construction materials. Let's help people return “their homes”.