Neighbours evacuated in house fire in Hampton Road Ipswich

Residents were evacuated for safety reasons from their homes after a fire started at a house in Hampton Road, off Bramford Road, on Saturday evening.

Suffolk Police cordoned off the middle of the road and the East of England Ambulance Service also attended the scene, with a woman taken into their care with a chest injury.

Police forensics remained at the scene on Sunday morning.

Neighbour Chris Warby said: "I was sitting in my front room at around 8.15pm when I heard a big bang. It sounded like an explosion.

Police forensics on the scene on Sunday. (Image: Elisabeth Wilson)

"I went out to see what was happening, looked over and all I could see was smoke billowing from the house itself and a crowd of around four people outside. I knew something wasn't right at that point.

"We had just put the children to bed, so I came back and told my wife we needed to get them out of bed, which we did quickly.

"The lady who had lived in there had jumped out of the first floor window.

"Our gardens are all adjoining in this street, and I could see the garden was all in flames.

"The fire service turned up within minutes, and we were told to leave and stand further down the road.

"I had to get the kids all dressed up, and we had to wait outside in the cold.

A terraced house caught fire on Saturday evening. (Image: Elisabeth Wilson)

"The fire services pulled their hoses and got to work, and the bulk of it was out within about 20 minutes. We were allowed back in after around two hours.

"I can't get over the fact it's happened. I just hope they make a full recovery."

Further down the road, another resident noted that there were many people in the street that evening and a heavy emergency services presence, and he asked if anyone needed help.

He said: "We saw two police cars and many blue lights.

"I asked a couple of people if they needed help, but we were trying to keep a balance between being concerned and not getting in the way, as pretty extensive public services attended.

"I guess it is now a matter of waiting to see how the fire occurred."

'I can't get over the fact it's happened' a neighbour said. (Image: Elisabeth Wilson)

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were first called at 8.36pm to the fire which broke out on the ground floor, sending five crews - two from Ipswich East, two from Princes Street and one from Needham Market.

They left the scene two hours later at 10.37pm. 

Suffolk Police attended to keep the area safe and close surrounding roads.