Brothers are counting the cost of a devastating blaze which ripped through their business, destroying everything inside.
Michael and Mark Morgan believed their company, The Raw Paw Store, had escaped the fire unscathed, until they arrived at work the next day.
Family members have now revealed 'everything was destroyed' - and said Michael and Mark had used their life-savings to launch the business, which specialises in pet food and animal feeds.
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An urgent fundraising appeal has now been launched to help get the brothers back on their feet. Stock also perished as the electricity supply was turned off - and looters went on to raid the site in the aftermath.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service crews rushed to the Aintree Industrial Park, on Wareing Road, Aintree, Liverpool, early on Monday, May 8 after reports of a fire inside a two-storey building. Crews from six engines arrived at the scene at 5.14am after receiving calls just minutes before.
A spokesperson for the service previously confirmed the building, around 100 by 30 metres in size, was "fully involved in fire". The complex operation saw crews tackle the blaze in multiple locations around the building, including from above with an aerial appliance. It is believed the fire ripped through multiple units within the building.
The fire tore threw the building, but for Michael and Mark's building, the smoke and water damage was too much and everything was destroyed. Their family business was "in ruins".
Partner Rachael Blackwell told the ECHO: "They turned up on Tuesday for work and everything was destroyed.
"They were absolutely devastated, walking into it and seeing it the way it was, having to bin everything and pack up it was heart-breaking and it's taken its toll this week. They are trying to stay positive and save what they can and make the most of what they've still got."
Rachael has launched a fundraiser to help the brothers get back on their feet and ensure they can continue trading until a new premises has been found.
She added: "They've put their life savings into it, worked every day and they aren't ready to give that up, it's our only source of income.
"This was their dream, they've built on their idea and wanted to expand but this has put them back to square one. We saw the fire on social media but didn't think anything of it. But they saw the damage the next day and the office was trashed, looters must've gone in after the fire, everything was destroyed."
It is hoped the fundraiser will raise £10,000 to help the brothers. Rachael added that support has come pouring in, from kind messages to friends and customers offering to help salvage what is left of the equipment.
She told the ECHO: "The building has been condemned and they've had to permanently move out. They are looking to secure a new premises somewhere local to their customers and rebuild it back up to what it was.
"I just wanted to do something for them for a change and get them back on their feet, they are always helping other people. This business is still in its infancy and they've done really well it's just a shame it happened at the worst time."
The GoFundMe appeal states: "A local business, The Raw Paw Store, was affected by a fire that tore through an adjoining building earlier this week. Michael and Mark arrived at work only to find their family business in ruins. The damage caused to the business has been immense.
"The fire and it's aftermath of smoke and water damage was not the only bad news they had to deal with either! The electricity was also shut off resulting in thousands of pounds worth of raw stock which had all perished."
Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser can do so here.
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