Community reacts to fire in Portman Road in Ipswich

Firefighters were called to Portman Road at around 5.15am on Tuesday morning to reports of a blaze at a two-storey mid-terrace house near the stadium.

Four fire engines were on the scene and a police cordon was placed to block off the public from going near the house.

Emergency services at the scene in Portman Road. (Image: Simon John)

Residents in the area spoke of seeing a vast amount of smoke from the fire, and a number of emergency services vehicles arriving.

Mrs Begum said: "I heard a noise at around 4.45am.

The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning (Image: Newsquest)

"This area can not be very nice at times, there's sometimes fighting and a lot of noise being made.

"That's what I thought it was initially, and then when I heard sirens I thought it was a fight.

"I opened my door to have a look and saw police, fire service, ambulance and then I saw the house and the smoke coming from it and thought it was really bad."

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "There was a lot of smoke.

"I was woken up by the sirens and I looked out and the flames were very big."

Four fire services were called to the scene (Image: Tom Cann)

Another added: "I looked out my window and saw a house on fire and there was a lot of emergency services that had turned up.

"I didn't know how serious it was but judging by the number of fire engines and police there were, it must have been very serious."

Six people were inside the property at the time and managed to escape.

A man and woman suffered lower limb injuries from jumping from the house and were taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment.

Four other people were evacuated from the fire safely. 

A 24-year-old man from Felixstowe has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Police and the fire service helped evacuate a further 11 people from neighbouring homes as a result of the blaze. 

Arrangements are being made with Ipswich Borough Council to accommodate them in a refuge centre until it is safe for them to return to their homes.

The spokesman or Suffolk Police said: "The incident is being treated as suspicious and initial police enquiries lead officers to believe that this was a localised and targeted attack."

Councillor David Ellesmere (Image: Newsquest)

David Ellesmere, Ipswich Borough Councillor for the Gipping Ward area, said: "Our thoughts are with the people who were in the flat in what must have been a very frightening experience for them.

"We are glad there doesn't appear to be any serious injuries and the Borough Council will be giving any assistance we can to both the police and the fire service in their investigations."