Property 'heavily damaged by smoke' after Ipswich town centre fire

Officials have said a property has been "heavily smoke damaged" after a fire in a Suffolk town centre today.

It comes after five crews were called to reports of a building fire in St Helens Street in Ipswich at about 12.05pm.

Drivers had been advised to avoid the area and roads were closed while firefighters tackled the blaze.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival crews found a small fire and thick black smoke coming from the property. Crews with breathing apparatus quickly dealt with the fire and cleared the smoke.

“The property has been heavily smoke damaged and four adjacent buildings have also been affected by the smoke."

They said a stop was called at 1.52pm and most crews could leave the area, but one appliance remains on scene to dampen the area down.

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