Howard Estate community, in Bury St Edmunds, rallies together after St Olaves Road house fire

The community on a Bury St Edmunds estate is rallying together to help after three homes were badly damaged in a fire.

Firefighters have now left the scene of the blaze in St Olaves Road, which was reported at 4.45pm yesterday.

Nathan Austin, 24, who lives in the road, said the first he knew about the fire was when he smelt burning.

He said: “I went into my bedroom to look out the window and you couldn’t see anything because of how thick the smoke was.

“Debris was flying everywhere.”

Nathan, who works at RAF Mildenhall, said when he first noticed the fire, smoke was only coming from one property.

He said: “People were distressed and running out - there was quite a commotion.”

Despite knowing he was safe, Nathan said the fire was ‘worrying and scary’ to witness.

“It is the smell of the smoke that has stuck with me.

“That smell of smoke is going to live with the people affected forever,” said Nathan.

Nathan praised the firefighters for the ‘incredible job’ they did battling the blaze for more than five hours.

He said residents living in St Olaves Road came together to support each other as they watched the firefighters work.

Michelle Jennings, from the Howard Estate Association of Residents and Tenants (HEART), has been speaking to one of the families affected by the blaze.

She said they have been overwhelmed by the offers of help they have had - which includes donations of clothes and furniture.

“The family are going through an extremely difficult time, they are obviously shocked and saddened by what’s happened but happy no one was hurt.

“The community has come together to offer support and well wishes as we would expect at this difficult time.

“I’m just happy that everyone is safe and well,” said Michelle.

Scott Day, who witnessed the fire, said the way the estate’s community responded has restored his faith in humanity.

He said: “I don’t live on the Howard but I do a lot of work on the estate.

“I was there yesterday afternoon and saw the fire.

“I’m so happy no one was injured or hurt. You are an amazing community.

“My heart goes out to the families affected by this awful incident.”

More information about making donations to those affected by the fire can currently be found on the Howard Estate Community Page on Facebook.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is due to be carried out later today.

A JustGiving page has been set up to help the families - you can find the link here.