A GRADE II listed house that was ravaged by fire is finally being restored 19 months after being almost totally destroyed.

Dawn Dunn, known as Dee, witnessed the Smugglers cottage in Sopley become engulfed after a spark from the chimney set alight the thatch burning down the roof and entire first floor in February of last year.

Now with the help of the “absolutely lovely” Solstice contractors the 60-year-old is rebuilding her life.

But during that time the house has been battered by the elements.

Add that to a 19-month dispute with the insurance company and numerous legal proceedings following the death of her husband, Mrs Dunn has endured what she calls “a total nightmare”.

“It’s just so difficult to comprehend that there has been 19 months of this,” she said.

“It has been a nightmare; a total nightmare. But they are building the cottage which is the good thing.

“It really is a very, very important cottage,” she added.

“It’s a grade II listed building which has deteriorated over that time.

“Because it has been left so long there is also structural work because the building hasn’t been supported. Some of the downstairs walls have got to be taken down and re-done. You would be amazed. I have nearly pulled my hair out over it all.

“It has been devastating.”

Mrs Dunn says she owes a lot of her optimism to her supportive sons Nicholas and Thomas, as well as fellow villagers who have acted “like a cosy blanket” during her time of need.

“It’s a very, very special place to live in,” she said.

“Villagers come by and ask me how I am and that is still there.”

Despite losing sentimental photographs of her family, Mrs Dunn said she was able to save a Victorian Christening gown that had been used by her family for generations, using some Vanish fabric cleaner. It was found still in its dry-cleaning bag, underneath the ceiling that had fallen to the floor during the fire, blackened and damp.

“That to me is a symbol of such happiness,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it, it was black as you like and it had been under there for months. And it’s like brand new.”