A Wiltshire musician who “lost everything” when a fire engulfed his store is desperately trying to relaunch the business.

Henry Ray Herrera first launched his “dream” business El Toro Music in 2018, after selling music accessories on eBay, and moved into his premises in Kington St Michael, Chippenham, in 2020.

On Tuesday, July 2 the store, which sells an array of instruments, was hit by a blaze that started in a neighbouring unit.

Part of the ceiling caved in, causing debris to fall on the instruments inside.

Mr Herrera says all his stock has been destroyed by debris, smoke, and water damage, leaving both him and the business in a precarious financial position.

READ MORE: Music shop boss who started out on eBay strikes gold

The destruction caused by the fireThe destruction caused by the fire (Image: Henry Ray Herrera)

He said: “The fire basically wrote everything off and nothing is salvageable, the damage is so extensive it would cost more than the stock was worth to repair it.

“It had looked amazing, it was my dream and I left my day job to put all my life savings and pension into it.

“It was my entire life and it feels like it has all been lost, my livelihood is gone and I’m struggling because I don’t know what to do.”

In total, he estimates around £34,000 worth of damage was done by the fire.

Mr Herrera did not have contents insurance covering fire damage because of issues with shared access to the property.

He has since been advised that his best chance at recovering any money would be by claiming off his neighbour’s insurance.

But a claims advisor reportedly informed him this could take “years of distress and unfounded legal costs” and may not result in a payout.

The destruction caused by the fireThe destruction caused by the fire (Image: Henry Ray Herrera)

In the meantime, he has been desperately searching for a job to keep himself afloat.

Mr Herrera has now launched a GoFundMe with an initial target of £10,000 in an attempt to recoup some of his losses.

The musician hopes this will allow him to keep his dream alive by funding a new shop and the replacement of some of his stock.

He added: “I’m still hopeful that people will help, and it will yield some positive results.

“People have already been so generous, and I’ve had other local musicians organising fundraisers.

“I’ve put everything in, I just need to reach enough people who can help keep this dream alive.”

At the time of writing, the fundraiser had received over £1,000 in donations.