Fire in Coastguard Cottages, West Mersea.
Top left Gathered round the stove in West Mersea Church Hall - their temporary home - are 74 year old Mrs Ada Fake (right), Mrs A. Christie, five of her children and their dog.
Top right Ten year old Pearl Christie, one of the West Mersea fire victims, tries on a pair of shoes in the Council offices, where all the homeless families were re-clothed this week. also being fitted out are Mrs Christie and 11 year old son William [ Billy ].
The 11 houses were home to 57 people.
Date: 28 October 1949