Teen charged after people rescued from house fire

A teenager has been charged after two people and their dog were rescued from a house fire during the early hours of the morning.

Emergency services, including fire crews from Ipswich East and Ipswich Princes Street, were called to Downside Close, in Ipswich, at about 03:16 GMT.

Two occupants and their pet dog were found trapped upstairs in the two-storey property before firefighters gained access and rescued them and they were taken to hospital.

An 18-year-old was charged with arson with intent to endanger life and they are due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates' Court today.

According to the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, one of the occupants called 999 after hearing their smoke alarms sounding.

One of the service's control operators remained in contact with them until they were able to communicate directly with firefighters.

Upon arrival, the crews used breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, a covering jet and a ladder to gain access to the property.

The emergency response to the incident was stopped at 04:39, but some firefighters remained at the scene to check for hot spots, and a police cordon remains in place.

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