Crews tackling house fire started by blow torch

Several fire crews are tackling a three-storey house fire that started when a blow torch caused roofing materials to go up in flames.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was called at about 10:45 BST to Crown Street in Bury St Edmunds to reports of the fire near the Greene King brewery that had spread to an adjoining domestic property.

Crews from the town, as well as from Newmarket, Haverhill, Ixworth, Long Melford and others including from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, are at the scene and all occupants of the building have been accounted for.

Suffolk Police is also assisting and has closed several roads in the area including Westgate Street, Cullum Road and part of Southgate Street.

The fire service said the residents of both properties would "require alternative accommodation" and a dog had been rescued from a neighbour's home.

Group commander Matt Webster spoke at the scene and said 11 appliances in total attended.

"The call came in for a roof fire in a property, that has spread to an adjacent one," he said.

"Crews have worked tirelessly to contain that fire to those two buildings and we believe the fire is now under control."

Webster added that they would be working to ascertain the cause of the fire in the coming days, with crews remaining at the scene for the next four or five hours.

The fire service said a blow torch was being used on the roof and ignited roofing materials.

Firefighters are making use of breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one 45m (148ft) hose to fight the fire.

UK Power Networks and Cadent are at the scene and have isolated both the power at street level and the gas supply has been switched off.

Crown Street has been closed from Abbey Gardens and police have urged people to avoid the area.

Greene King said it was "continuing to support our tenants while we assess the situation".

"Thankfully, no-one was harmed, and we're very grateful to the fire service for their swift attendance to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading any further," a spokesperson added.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.