A1101 in Hengrave, near Bury St Edmunds, reopens after devastating blaze engulfs five cottages

A key route has reopened after a devastating blaze ripped through five thatched cottages near Bury St Edmunds.

The A1101 Bury Road in Hengrave was shut both ways as 15 fire crews battled the flames that engulfed the homes.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 12.48am today and police closed the road.

It reopened at about 2.30pm.

Firefighters continue to damp down and a structural engineer attended following the collapse of the roof.

Suffolk Police previously said the incident was suspected to have started as a chimney fire and was not suspicious.

A fire service spokesman said an investigation will be launched to determine the exact cause.

Resident Joan Blowers, 89, who lives nearby, told SuffolkNews she had been stood outside with residents of the cottages most of the night after being evacuated from her own home.

"I had about an hour's sleep last night. It was all very upsetting, because I was outside with them for a while and then we were allowed to go to my neighbour's, who is on the end of my block," she said.

"It has not been a very pleasant experience."