Friends have rallied round to support a family after a blaze killed their pets and destroyed their kitchen.

Yoga teachers Grace Selfe, partner Mark Palmer and their children aged 12, 14, and 15 have been overwhelmed by support from both friends and acquaintances following the fire in their 1901 terrace house in North Street, Southminster.

They were not at home when the inferno started at about 12.40pm on Wednesday, November 12, and they believe it may have been sparked by an electrical appliance.

Grace said: “We have had lots of help.

“It’s amazing and very humbling.

“The other day about 10 people came in to help us clear the soot and people have brought in paint brushes."

The fire service has yet to confirm the cause of the blaze.