A local dad has been left devastated after a huge blaze tore through his business last week.
Jason Burnett, 48, was forced to stand back and watch events unfold, as the flames destroyed his surfboard workshop in Dalkeith on Saturday (March 26.)
The dad-of-one, from Midlothian, had been driving to work at the Newbattle Abbey Business Park when he first noticed smoke appearing to billow from the site.
Working in the unit for years, Jay had raced to the site, where he saw the blaze destroy his livelihood, stock and sentimental items, leaving nothing behind.
READ MORE - Edinburgh woman in stitches after receiving £90 'dream' dress she ordered online
Although he quickly alerted fire crews, the damage was still irreversible, with Jay now describing the last few days as a "living nightmare."
Speaking to the Record, the Penicuik dad said: "It's like I'm living in a nightmare.
"The fire just got bigger and bigger and went through a college classroom next to my business.
"It was the worse thing that you just don’t ever think will happen."
Working in the space for eight years, Jay had been creating surfboards for just over a decade, with his income now having suddenly disappeared following the blaze.
As well as being his business premises, he explained there had also been a number of personal items in the unit, which have now been turned to ash.
He said: "It’s all the stuff you accumulate over the years. It was the surfboards I had and collected and personal stuff because I also used it as a storage place.
"There was so much in there, including the board I won in the Scottish National Surfing Championships' Masters division in 2015 and the first surfboard I made my son, as well as artwork I create.
"I thought there might have been one thing left that didn’t survive the heat but there was nothing. I knew when I went back the day after to look at it I was going to see nothing and that was the hardest thing."
He added: "It will take a long time to clear my head and I'm always going to have those thoughts of what I've lost and can’t replace. I can always make surfboards again but it’s sentimental stuff.
"It’s like someone having a fire in the house, it’s the exact same feelings for me."
Pictures show the aftermath of the blaze, which has burnt through the workshop leaving what's left of the structure badly charred.
Informing customers of what had happened on Sunday, Jason wrote: "They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but words can't explain what has happened and how I feel.
"I write this with great sadness that a devastating fire on Saturday has completely destroyed Jay Surfboards workshop. EVERYTHING was destroyed in the fire that I've built since 2014 and many more personal, irreplaceable and invaluable items that have now gone."
No one was injured as a result of the blaze, which Jason says was an 'electrical fire'.
However, Jason does not have business insurance and is now facing rebuilding his workplace from scratch.
In a bid to help, friends have rallied together to launch a fundraiser to help him get back on his feet.
A message on the fundraiser reads: "A small group of Jay's friends have come together to help him build something even more beautiful.
"Please support with any amount you can to help create a new start for Jay and others who lost possessions in the fire. Let’s bring Jay Surfboards back bigger and better than before."
Jason says he had no idea the fundraiser was being launched but has been touched by the surfing and small businesses community rallying together to help.
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson: “We were alerted at 2.22pm on Saturday, March 26 to reports of a building on fire at Newbattle Road, Dalkeith.
“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and one height vehicle and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting an industrial unit.
“There were no reported casualties and firefighters left after ensuring the area was made safe.”
Police had warned locals to stay inside and close their windows after the fire due to asbestos being present in the roof.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said at the time: "We would like to thank local residents and members of the public for their co-operation yesterday as officers assisted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as they tackled a fire at a business premises in Newbattle Road, Eskbank, Dalkeith.
"Asbestos was present in the roof of the building and a stretch of the B703 had to be closed. The road has now reopened."
