Couple absolutely devastated as life's work goes up in smoke

‘In the space of a few hours, a lifetime’s work, equipment, and everything we’ve built has been lost’

The owners of an event company have been left devastated after their life’s work went up in flames.

Freq Audio Systems is a Cornwall-based event production and audio engineering company run by Rebecca and Joel Hutchins. The company specialises in sound, lighting, and staging solutions for corporate events, weddings, and live music, including festivals.

As weddings and events season is getting underway, Joe and Rebecca lost everything they built over the years when a fire devastated their warehouse full of equipment.

In a post on Facebook the couple said: “We are absolutely devastated to share that on Wednesday our warehouse was destroyed by fire.

“In the space of a few hours, a lifetime’s work, equipment, and everything we’ve built has been lost. It’s hard to put into words what that feels like, and we are still trying to process it.”

The blaze happened on Tuesday April 28 just before 9am it ripped through Joel and Rebecca’s recently acquired unit at Carnon Valley Works, Carnon Downs.

Freq Audio Systems had only recently moved into the unit, announcing in March that the larger space would allow them to “think bigger” and expand their operations.

Fire engines from Truro, Helston, Tolvaddon, Newquay and Mullion were called to the incident with the aerial ladder platform also in attendance. The fire was brought under control at about 4pm

Rebecca and Joel added: “Right now, our focus is on our clients and the events we have coming up. We are already working behind the scenes, including partnering with trusted industry contacts, to make sure everything goes ahead as planned. We will do everything we can to deliver to the standard we are known for.

“We are currently working closely with our insurers and will share more as we begin to rebuild in the coming weeks.

“We may be a little slower to respond over the next few days while we get ourselves back on our feet, and we really appreciate your patience and understanding.”

A friend of Joel and Rebecca’s has now launched a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help the couple get back on their feet.

Paul Bevan who launched the fundraiser said: “Joel and Becky have recently lost most their worldly possession and business in a tragic fire after recently moving to the new premises.

“This in itself has left them without jobs, without an income and well and came at the worst possible time, right at the end of a long spell of minimal winter work and at the start of the event and weddings season.”

He added: “Not only have they just gone through to process of having to move the business to the new unit just weeks ago but they have also spent a lot of time and money making it ready for the move only to see it all go up in smoke.

“Yes, they have insurance. Yes, they hope it will cover some of the kit lost but this will take time and in that time they won’t be able to operate at a time when most of the income is about to come through the door, so I feel it would be great to try and help take some of the stress off.

“Joel had a major heart attack just a few months ago. So, both Becky and himself have spent the last few months overcoming this massive life adjustment. Having just done their first weekend of bookings a few days before the fire they finally felt for the first time in ages that they got this.”

To help Joel and Rebecca get back on their feet you can help them at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-joel-and-becky-get-back-on-their-feet

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