Penfold's DIY, Barfield Road, West Mersea, formerly Clifford White Builders. At the height of the blaze 5 fire appliances and an aerial ladder from Colchester were at the scene. The first of several calls was received at 20:46 hrs and the first appliance arrived at 20:51 hrs when the building was already well alight.
The first priority was to stop the fire spreading to M&D Stores (just on the right of the picture) which stood about 6 metres from the fire. This was successfully achieved by crews from West Mersea working in breathing apparatus in the intense heat.
The fire was under control by 22:48 hrs and the last appliance left at 08:00 hrs the next day. The building was unsafe after the fire and demolished the following week. Akersloot Court now stands on the site.
Date: 20 April 1999