FRIENDS have rallied round a family devastated by a second fire at a stables they own inside a few months and have launched a fundraising page to try and help them.

In March six horses at the stables on Stanford Road, close to the junction with London Road in Stanford-le-Hope, died in a blaze.

Police later confirmed they were investigating the fire which they believed could have been [L][L]https://thurrock.nub.news/n/police-seek-cause-of-fire-that-killed-six-horses-and-left-owners-devastated [L+]suspicious.

Last night (Sunday, 30 August) firefighters were once again called to a fire at the site, though no horses were involved this time.

However, the stables were totally destroyed by the flames, leaving the site a forlorn ruin this morning.

A small child's cycle stood outside the stables, almost symbolic of the owning family's despair.

In the wake of the first fire horse owner Samantha Price said: "I am devastated. "The community has really supported me with kind words and gestures. I urge anyone with information to please contact police."

Now another appeal has gone out to the community to help the family recover from the blaze, which is also being regarded by the owners as an arson attack.

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Friend Ashie Price has organised a 'gofundme' page to help the family, saying: "Whether your a horse lover or not you have to feel for this family that has had two arson attacks on their stables a few months apart.

"The first attack killed six horses and burnt down their barn and now the second attack has burnt down their stables.

"The owner is devastated and lost all heart so I am trying to fundraise some funds to help rebuild the stables and get CCTV so hopefully nothing like this happens again.

"It's so shocking that someone has the heart to kill these poor horses and make them suffer in such a horrible way.

"Any donations are very much appreciated and thank you for everyone's kind words of support."

The donation page can be found here.