THE devastated owners of a therapy and healing business are urgently appealing for help after their cottage was gutted in a “freak of nature” fire.

The Enchanted Cottage, in West Street, Rochford, has been forced to close by the fire - which bosses believe was started due to sun shining through a window and creating a spark.

Victoria Mounter, who runs the business with her mum Maxine Evans, is hoping to restart the businesses from home at some point this month, and thanked the community for the support so far.

However, they will need more help and financial support if the cottage is going to be repaired and re-opened.

The Essex Fire Service has said an investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the blaze.

Victoria, 37, from Rochford said: “We had a call from a neighbouring business last Monday to say the blinds and windows of our building were going black.

“We rushed down there and found whole place had been burnt to the ground inside. The fire brigade says it was a freak accident and they believe it was started with sun shining through the window.

“When we got there it was eerie and horrifying. Everything is just in ashes and black, it’s a burnt-out wreck. We cannot get out head around it; we are trying to be positive and feel lucky to be alive.

“It’s horrendous and we feel mortified. We are a small business and the community really needs us and out services.”

The business offers “holistic and spiritual therapies” including a range of specialist massages.

Miss Mounter said the businesses has lost lots of products and equipment in the fire, including items they had collected over the years..

The mother-of-one said online funding pages have been launched and the support in the community is a massive comfort for them.

She added: “We are still feeling numb and trying to process it all.

We are taking time out for self care and to strength ourselves.

“The not knowing the cause is worse and there is no clarification. We just feel dumb founded and are speechless.”

A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: “We were called for a fire at a commercial property in West Street, Rochford on Monday, July 25, at 3.30pm.

“A crew from Rochford attended but the fire was out on arrival.

A fire investigation is ongoing.”

To donate visit bit.ly/3oBUxBd or bit.ly/3Q2GEHV