'Fierce' fire rips through two homes in west Norfolk village

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called at 11.50am on Friday to reports of a fire in a house in Runcton Holme, near Downham Market.

It is believed the fire started in a shed before spreading to the neighbouring properties, causing extensive damage.

A firefighter hoses down debris following a house fire in Runcton Holme, west Norfolk (Image: Sarah Hussain)

Officers at the scene said it was a "fierce incident" but crews were able to quickly stop it from spreading further.

The intensity of the blaze left the bungalows with shattered windows.

There were no reported injuries and one person made it safely out of their bungalow.

The residents of the other bungalow were not home.

A roof of a bungalow was destroyed in the fire and has caved in (Image: Sarah Hussain)

Ten fire crews attended including appliances from King's Lynn North, King's Lynn South, Downham Market, Sandringham, Swaffham, Heacham, Wisbech and the aerial ladder platform from King's Lynn.

They wore breathing apparatus and used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

John Liden, incident commander from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (Image: Sarah Hussain)

John Liden, incident commander, said: "It was a very fierce incident and we very quickly stopped the fire spreading.

"When we arrived the roofs of both bungalows were well alight.

"There's extensive damage to both properties.

"We have still got small pockets of fire. However, it's been under control from around 2pm.

"The cause is under investigation but it looks accidental.

"One occupant of the properties has been treated for shock and the fire has caused a gas leak.

Two bungalows were affected in the fire in Runcton Holme (Image: Sarah Hussain)

“At the moment we’re looking to isolate electricity and have a gas leak - we’re in the process of making the gas safe.

“We expect crews to remain on scene for at least two or three hours.

“The crews carried out some first class work to bring the fire under control.

"Their quick work stopped the fire from spreading to a nearby motor home."

The road was cordoned off and police were also in attendance.

Eight fire crews are battling a blaze at a home in Runcton Holme in west Norfolk (Image: Sarah Hussain)

The fire was under control by 2pm but smoke could still be seen rising from the house.

A fire service support unit and UK Power Network engineers also attended the scene.

Eight fire appliances, a support team and police have attended the fire in Runcton Holme (Image: Sarah Hussain)