A bungalow in a quiet village in south Norfolk has been 'substantially destroyed' after becoming engulfed in flames.

Eastern Daily Press: Crews from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to a bungalow fire in Brooke. Picture: MARC BETTSCrews from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to a bungalow fire in Brooke. Picture: MARC BETTS (Image: Archant)

A crew from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called at about 1.20pm on Monday, August 26 to a property on The Street, Hunstead Lane, in Brooke, between Norwich and Bungay.

Station manager Pete Rowe said more resources were called after the arrival of the first crew.

He said: "We were called to reports of a fire outside of the building.

"When the first crew arrived, it was found to be a substantial fire inside the building.

Eastern Daily Press: Crews from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to a bungalow fire in Brooke. Picture: MARC BETTSCrews from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to a bungalow fire in Brooke. Picture: MARC BETTS (Image: Archant)

"We then increased our attendance to five pumps and an aerial ladder platform.

"It is a detached single storey bungalow with a tile roof, but it has been destroyed."

Mr Rowe confirmed that no-one had been injured and the occupants managed to escape before the arrival of the fire service.

A large response was sent to Brooke to stop the flames from spreading due to a number of thatched buildings surrounding the property.

Crews closed access to the road while they used hydrants, water tankers and breathing equipment to extinguish the blaze.

The bungalow is located on the corner of Mereside and The Street, and near to the pub The White Lion and The Meres, the village's pond.

Residents who live a few streets away reported seeing the smoke from their homes.

A witness said that the area around the pond filled with thick smoke and it was possible to smell the fire from Norwich Road.

The cause of the fire is being investigated but is unknown at this point.

August Bank Holiday Monday was the hottest ever recorded with temperatures of up to 32C across the county.

At the end of July the fire service issued a warning about open fires due to the conditions.

Stuart Ruff, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer, said at the time: "We would urge the public not to start camp fires and bonfires during hot, dry conditions. Please don't use naked flames and take extreme care when discarding cigarettes.

"The impact of these careless acts presents a huge risk to lives and property and many open fires can been avoided."