An elderly woman had to be evacuated from her home after a fire at a derelict property in a Broads village.
The house in Moor Road in Sutton went up in flames at around 6pm on Monday.
A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson.
Locals say the property has been derelict for more than 20 years.
Maureen Nolan, who is in her 70s and lives alone next door, had to be evacuated from her home by a neighbour as the fire spread to her garden fence.
Her granddaughter, Jess Smith, who lives opposite in Moor Road, said she had gone to bed early because she wasn’t feeling well.
“She was asleep in bed when one of the neighbours had to knock on her door and wake her up,” Mrs Smith said.
“We live just over the road and she came over in tears, shaking.
“She’s in her 70s and lives on her own. There were fire engines, police cars and an ambulance outside.
“The fire was quite high and we could see the smoke going over her fence.
“Other than her fence there was no damage.”
Fire crews from Stalham and Wroxham remained at the scene until receiving a stop message just after 7pm.
Following a police investigation, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and taken to Aylsham Police Station for further questioning where he remains.
Mrs Smith said the property has been derelict for around a quarter of a century.
“It was overgrown and the neighbours complained to the council about rats,” she said.
“The council came to clear some of it but found asbestos.”
John Brooks, who lives on Moor Road opposite the derelict house, said: “When we moved in two years ago we didn’t even know it was there because it was overgrown.
“It’s been an eyesore ever since.
“I’ve heard that kids have played in it for years.
"No one has ever seen the owner. It’s full of rubbish.
"The council should’ve left it alone. They tidied it but they’ve only made it worse."
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