Sheds were wrecked and four properties were damaged by a fire that ripped through gardens in Lowestoft.

Eastern Daily Press: Firefighters tackle the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesFirefighters tackle the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

Firefighters moved quickly this morning (Tuesday, August 29), amid fears that the sheds may contain gas bottles, while a large plume of smoked billowed over the town.

A crew from Lowestoft South fire station was called at about 9.45am following reports of a fire affecting three sheds in the rear gardens of numerous properties on Stanley Street.

Police officers weere also in attendance as the fire crew tackled the blaze.

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: 'This was a fire involving three sheds.'

Eastern Daily Press: A plume of smoke was visible across the skyline as firefighters tackled the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Mark BoggisA plume of smoke was visible across the skyline as firefighters tackled the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Mark Boggis (Image: Archant)

Firefighters used one hosereel jet and two chromes to 'extinguish the fire and then checked for hotspots using the thermal imaging camera,' according to the brigade spokesman.

Watch Commander Steve Mullen of Suffolk Fire Service said: 'We arrived at the scene following reports that there was a pile of rubbish on fire in the rear garden of an unoccupied property, which had spread to the sheds in the garden next door.

'One of the sheds, containing a number of household items, was totally wrecked by the fire.

'Overall there was minor fire damage to four adjacent properties.'

Eastern Daily Press: The fire spread from the rear garden of the unoccupied property situated next door. Picture: Tom ChapmanThe fire spread from the rear garden of the unoccupied property situated next door. Picture: Tom Chapman (Image: Archant)

Despite rumours circulating that there were gas bottles inside the sheds, firefighters found this to be false.

'With fires like this we tend to assume that there may be gas bottles involved, but we found none at the scene,' added Watch Commander Mullen.

The scene of the blaze was cleared by 10.21am.

The initial cause of the fire is currently unknown and police will be conducting further investigations.

Eastern Daily Press: Police at the scene of the shed fire in Lowestoft. Picture: Tom ChapmanPolice at the scene of the shed fire in Lowestoft. Picture: Tom Chapman (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Firefighters at the scene of the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Tom ChapmanFirefighters at the scene of the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Tom Chapman (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: A number of household itesm were destroyed by the fire. Picture: Tom ChapmanA number of household itesm were destroyed by the fire. Picture: Tom Chapman (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Police and firefighters at the scene of the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesPolice and firefighters at the scene of the shed blaze in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Archant)