Essex family devastated as ‘firework spark’ destroys late grandad’s …

A family have been left devastated after a fire broke out in their garden which has destroyed a new garden building and sheds containing countless items of sentimental value. Marie Findlay and her partner Byron Breaker-Rolfe have endured an estimated £30,000 worth of damage after a spark from a firework reportedly ignited their garden and quickly spread.

The fire broke out on November 10 this year in Billericay. It is reported that a neighbouring firework caused a spark to fly into their garden, and Essex Police are currently investigating the incident. The couple and their two children Blake and Flynn have lost decades worth of tools belonging to Byron’s father Roy, who previously worked on houses.

Roy tragically took his own life in February 2021 ^[1], and the garden room which burned down had been bought and constructed less than two years ago with the money from his life insurance policy. The building was designed as a private space which included a games area and other amenities, and was hoped to be used as a space for Marie and Byron’s eldest son to use when he grew older, as he was likely to remain living with the family.

Marie said: “There were fireworks going off, a spark hit the tree and hit the shed. One fire spread to another and then another. It took half an hour for the fire brigade to come. It was very quick, one shed was alight fully in 15 minutes.

“My father-in-law’s tools were inside the first shed that set alight. He had always made up houses and he had about 40 years worth of tools. We lost all our Christmas trees, all the boubles that the children made growing up, boxes of photographs.

“The garden room was only 18 months old and that was bought with their grandad’s life insurance money. It had a gaming area and a space for everyone to use. Both my children have autisum and it was eventually going to be a space for my eldest to go and get away from us.

The now destroyed garden room (Image: Marie Findlay)

“It’s the meaning behind it and what paid for it that’s the hard part. We are not insured but we know that we have lost it and that’s why a friend set up the fundraising page.” Ms Findlay believes the total amount of damage is around £30,000 and she has become very ill with the stress of dealing with the fire.

Writing on the fundraising page, family friend Tammy Smith-Alford said: “Everything the family have collected or worked for over the years has been destroyed in the fire, including many sentimental items that can’t be replaced, such as all Byron’s belated dads tools. The family have been through so much over the years and are absolutely devasted to have lost so many of their belongings and memories.

“Their garden, and in particular the garden room was a little sanctuary for the family with both boys having SEND needs and Marie health issues herself. The garden room also contained Marie’s craft space. It was a little haven for her to take time away from life, to enjoy time crafting gifts she could take to local craft markets.

Marie Findlay with partner Byron Breaker-Rolfe and their sons Flynn and Blake (Image: Marie Findlay)

“Whilst nothing will ever replace the sentimental items the family have lost, it would be good if we could help them to start to replace some of what they have lost.” The fundraising page has reached more than £1,700 of its £2,000 target, which is hoped will cover the cost of replacing the fence panels lost by the family.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “This incident is currently under investigation and our enquiries are ongoing.” To donate to the fundraiser, click here ^[4].

References

^{^} tragically took his own life in February 2021 (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} New bridge shuts at Boreham Interchange as oil spilled on road just weeks after it opened (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} Pictures show Dartford Crossing opening in 1963 as it celebrates 60th anniversary (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} click here (www.justgiving.com)