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The Ridge residence of former president Jerry Rawlings was completely razed down in the early hours of Sunday, February 14. Jerry John Rawlings described as �very painful� the destruction of his residence by fire. The entire residence, except his near-by office, was totally devastated by the fire. It took several military fire tenders to overcome the situation. President John Mills has visited the former first family to sympathize with them. Mr Rawlings was on a humanitarian mission at Vume in the Volta region, when the incident occurred. Only his wife, former first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and one of their daughters, Yaa Asantewaa were in the residence when the fire started. None of them is hurt. But they appeared distraught. Dozens of state officials, ministers of state, party officers and supporters have visited Mr Rawlings and his family to sympathize with them. Notable among there were, Chief of Staff, John Henry Martey Newman, Defense Minister, Joseph H. Smith, Attorney General, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Health Minister, Dr. Ben Kumbuor, Presidential Advisor, Ambassador Victor Gbeho among others. Arnold Quainoo, Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama were also there. Mr Rawlings personally drove his family out of his Ridge apartment. It is not clear where they were headed. But Government officials are hurriedly preparing temporary accommodation for the former first couple. Chief of Staff, Mr. Martey Newman told Citi News that the State was preparing a place for him.