Police are investigating a suspected arson attack that almost burnt down a home after an oil tank exploded in a fire ball.

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack that almost burnt down a home after an oil tank exploded in a fire ball.

Residents of the hamlet of Brandon Parva, near Dereham, woke to the sounds of explosions early yesterday.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said somebody set light to a car parked outside a home at about 2.55am and that the flames quickly spread, engulfing a car port, outbuilding and oil tank and scorching the side of the two storey house.

Neighbour Sue Spinks said she woke to see “flames as tall as the house” outside her window and fled her home but was forced back inside by downed power lines that had burnt through.

She said the man who lived in the affected property was “devastated” about what had happened and said residents were “shocked” that something like this had happened in their community.

Four fire engines extinguished the fire by about 4.30am and the mobile fire support unit van spent the night at the property so volunteers could provide reassurance to affected residents.

The power lines were back up by about 9.30am but residents were still waiting for telephone lines to be fixed at lunch time yesterday.

t Anybody with information about the incident should call Norfolk Police on 0845 4564567