Resident describes house blaze scenes in St Olaves Road, Bury St Edmunds

A resident has described seeing thick black smoke and hearing what sounded like an explosion following a large house fire on a town estate.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said they thought someone was burning rubbish when they saw smoke billowing from the scene in St Olaves Road, Bury St Edmunds.

Multiple fire crews remain at the scene of the incident where three properties have been impacted by the blaze.

The resident said: “There was so much thick black smoke. I didn’t have my phone so I shouted.

“It sounded like it just went bang — it sounded like something exploded.

“There were a couple of young lads who said they were on the phone to the fire brigade.

“I went round to the front of the property (which was on fire) and helped an elderly couple out of the property.

“They were at the door so I hurried them along.

“There was a girl next door. I banged on her door and she had a little baby in her arms and there was a dog.

“I took the baby and she brought the dog out and we just stood on the side. By then the fire brigade were telling everyone to move.”

Suffolk Fire and Rescue was called at 4.45pm to the fire which involved three properties.

All residents have been accounted for and six engines remain on the scene.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire said: “Good progress has been made and six firefighters in breathing apparatus have now been deployed for internal hotspotting.”

It is believed around 10 fire vehicles were called to the blaze, including two Suffolk Fire Rescue Service Operational Support Units.

St Olaves Road has been closed from the roundabout by Suffolk Police.

Another anonymous resident said: “There's a lot of damage.

“Both sides of the roof are damaged all the way through. It looks like it started from the outside but made its way all the way to the inside of the house.”