FOR more than a decade Lynne Milner operated a small day spa in Canungra from her home in Appel Street.
Her business, Eve by Nature, was popular and the number of regular bookings resulted in Lynne needing to employ two staff members to help.
As she closed her books ending a successful 12 months on Monday, July 1 last year she was feeling good about the future.
Monday was her day off and she was enjoying some time away from home when she received a phone call that would bring her crashing back to earth.
The call came from staff members at the nearby Day Care Centre who were phoning to tell her they had called the fire brigade after hearing her smoke alarms ringing out and noticing smoke billowing from her home.
Lynne said she raced home and was stunned by what she encountered.
“Fireman were swarming in and around around my home and a crowd had gathered to watch them fight a blaze that was more about smoke than flames,” she said.
“I was in disbelief as I joined the gallery, I was losing both my home and my business all at once.”
While the home wasn’t burnt to the ground the intense heat and smoke destroyed everything Lynne owned.
“I couldn’t believe it when the firefighters eventually guided me into the destroyed shell, the TV and air-conditioning units had literally melted and everything was ruined,” she said.
When you hear about house fire victims the line “they were only left with the clothes on their backs” is often used and this was the case for Lynne.
She went to stay at her daughter’s house while her home was cleared and inspected, but that didn’t stop the local Canungra community from rallying behind her.
“People supported me with kindness and some even gave me cash to buy some clothes,” she said.
“The congregation at the nearby Uniting Church even passed around the plate to help.”
“The warmth of a small town that I experienced is something that many don’t enjoy in a city.
“When I walked up the street after the fire with a girlfriend she was amazed by the number of locals who stopped and gave me a hug and asked about my welfare.
“She called me the Queen of Canungra and I felt like that.”
Now some eight months after the fire Lynne’s home is completely rebuilt thanks to her insurance company and on March 3 the shingle will go up out the front to say “open for business”.
“It’s been a long haul and it was tough without any wage coming in for so long, but I am thrilled to be ready to welcome clients once more,” Lynne said.
“I have not lost my enthusiasm or drive for my day spa and I can’t wait to welcome my clients back again.”
