Ipswich Carr Street flat fire prompts huge emergency service response

A flat fire in a five storey building prompted a huge emergency service response this afternoon.

Fire crews were called to Carr Street in Ipswich town centre at 12.23pm to reports of a fire in a second floor flat.

A total of 16 fire appliances battled the blaze, including crews from Haverhill, Hadleigh, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Woodbridge, Ipswich East and Princes Street.

Essex firefighters were also called to the county to assist, with three appliances called from Colchester and Manningtree.

Surrounding shops were closed and some streets including Coleman Street and Old Foundry Road were blocked off.

First Ipswich buses were also not stopping at stops on Upper Brook Street or Great Coleman Street due to the fire.

Ten firefighters used breathing apparatus and hose reels in an effort to extinguish the fire. Smoke logging on further floors was also reported.

A Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed police and ambulance crews are also at the scene, but no casualties have been reported at this stage.

At 3pm a spokesperson confirmed the fire was put out and operations were scaled down.

They thanked police officers and ambulance crews for their help.