Donations of clothes, bedding and furniture have been flooding in for the families left homeless after a devastating fire in Harwich.

Five families in West Street saw their houses burn yesterday after a fire raged through their properties.

Harwich residents have been donating items to the families through various shops in the town, including Home Grown Craft in Kingsway.

Some 11 crews from Dovercourt, Manningtree, Weeley, Colchester, Frinton, Wivenhoe, Clacton and Brightlingsea were called to West Street at 11.15am on Wednesday, December 7.

The fire started in the roof of one property before spreading to others.

Heavy winds meant the fire spread quickly, but luckily no one was injured.

Thick smoke engulfed all of West Street, as families whose homes were on fire watched on in tears.

Fire crews stayed at the scene until 3.30pm on Thursday, December 8 dampening down hot-spots and police reopened the road to traffic at around 5.30pm the same day.

Assistant Divisional Officer Chris Noakes from Essex Fire and Rescue said: "Around two dozen people have been evacuated from their homes.

"It is too early to speculate about the cause of the fire. A fire investigation officer is already on the scene looking into the cause."

NEWS SPECIAL IN THURSDAY'S DAILY GAZETTE AND FRIDAY'S HARWICH & MANNINGTREE STANDARD