A nine-year-old girl who escaped a house blaze in which her mother died is picking up the pieces of her ruined life.

Relatives today thanked the support given to little Elisa Wheatley by complete strangers as she tries to come to terms with her ordeal.

Her mother Jean Wheatley, 43, died in the fire at her home in Inverness Avenue, Westcliff, at the end of last month after being overcome by the effects of smoke inhalation.

Elisa told firefighters she could not wake her mother and had tried to escape by the front door but it was bolted too high for her to undo.

She managed to get out through the back door and then hid in a shed until firefighters found her.

She is now living with her father Laurence Wheatley, 46, and stepmother Joanne, 27, in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff.

Joanne said Elisa went back to her school, Westborough Primary in Macdonald Avenue, Westcliff, a few days after the fire as they wanted to get her back into a normal routine as soon as possible.

She said the school has been fantastic and really supportive, especially teachers Jenny Davis and Gerry Bennett, who looked after the nine-year-old while she went on a two-day school trip to Norfolk.

However, Joanne said Elisa has struggled to come to terms with her ordeal and the tragic death of her mother.

She said: "She is doing quite well, but I do not think the reality of what has happened has hit her yet.

"Elisa visited her mother's grave on Mother's Day and laid some flowers, but I don't think it has really sunk in yet."

The family's battle to overcome the tragedy has been helped by the kindness of people in Southend.

A friend at the Spread Eagle in Victoria Avenue, Southend, organised a collection from punters which raised £240 for Elisa.

Staff of the Melrose in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, heard about the youngster's plight and collected £160 for her.

Parents at her school also donated £370 to get Elisa back on her feet.

Joanne, who has a young baby, said: "We did not expect people to help like this. I want to say a big thank you to them all."

The money donated has been used to buy clothes, books and bed linen for Elisa, as she lost everything in the fire.

Rebuilding her life - Elisa with step-mum Joanne.

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