Firefighters from Lowestoft North and South fire stations were called today (February 11) at 3.48pm to attend a fire in a rubbish storage area at an address in London Road North, Lowestoft.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Fire February 11, 2017. PHOTO: Giorgia MantrippLowestoft Fire February 11, 2017. PHOTO: Giorgia Mantripp (Image: Archant)

Two fire engines attended the scene and crews used two sets of breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire which is thought to have been started deliberately.

One witness, Giorgia Mantripp, said: 'Me and my nan were about to walk into the Britten Centre and I noticed quite a bit of smoke coming from the back of Starbucks and we thought that the building behind it was alight.

'Businesses were closing their shops temporarily, until it was safe to open. Then the emergency services arrived and got everything under control and the fire fighters checked all the shops to see if they were ok.'

Suffolk Police also attended the scene to assist the fire service and a police spokesman said no damage was caused to surrounding shops following what was 'a small fire'.

The fire was extinguished by 4.13pm.