An eyewitness has recalled seeing a "massive" fire at a spa just outside Ipswich overnight. 

Firefighters were called to the blaze at the Riverhills Spa in Bramford just after midnight. 

About a quarter of the building has been destroyed but crews managed to save the main part of the property.

It is believed the fire started in the swimming pool area.

READ MORE: Live updates as firefighters remain on scene of huge blaze

A nearby resident who saw the fire said: "It was massive. 

"I could smell the smoke in the air and could see in the distance a massive plume of smoke. 

"I rang up the fire service from home and said something big is on fire. 

"I went and stood at the first entrance (of the spa) and you could just smell the smoke and you could hear it cracking and popping. 

"I rang the fire service and said Riverhills is massively on fire.

"I was really disturbed to hear voices coming from inside Riverhills but when I called the fire service back that was the firefighters at the scene calling for backup."

A Suffolk Fire Service spokesman said: "The fire brigade have been fighting through the night and they were fortunately able to save the main part of the building but there is lots of damage elsewhere.

"A full investigation will take place into the cause of the fire."

Incident Commander Sally Hammond added: "Crews worked really hard and quickly to save much of the building."

People living in the area were told to keep windows and doors shut to avoid smoke entering their homes.