An area close to a city hotel was cordoned off by police following a fire in the open which resulted in several 'explosions' being heard.

Eastern Daily Press: Scorched pavement following a fire on Prince of Wales Road. PIC: Peter Walsh.Scorched pavement following a fire on Prince of Wales Road. PIC: Peter Walsh. (Image: Archant)

Emergency services were called to Prince of Wales Road, near to the Nelson Hotel to what is believed to have been bedding that was set on fire,

Members of the public reported hearing "several small explosions" after the fire broke out at about 6.15am this morning (Saturday, January 11).

A fire crew from Earlham attended the fire. The crew used hose reel jets supplemented by a hydrant to extinguish the fire.

A spokesman in the Norfolk Fire and Rescue control room confirmed that it was "believed to be some bedding on fire".

The area, which is a popular spot for homeless people to bed down overnight, was cordoned off by police early on Saturday but was later removed leaving only the scorched pavement as a sign that there had been a fire there.