An investigation is under way today after families had to leave their homes following a house fire in Gorleston.
Five fire crews spent hours attempting to dampen the flames at the property in Daphne Way last night, while the National Grid tried to turn off the gas so that the blaze could be safely extinguished.
The house appeared to be completely engulfed by fire and flames were still visible inside the front door more than two hours after firefighters first arrived at around 6.15pm.
Neighbours huddled next to the nearby Pub on the Shrubs, as smoke poured out of open windows of the terraced home.
The pub welcomed in families offering them hot drinks after many had to leave their homes in a hurry.
Immediate neighbour Joan Wilson, aged 88, said: 'The shock was the knock on the door I got in the first place. I could not stop trembling.
'We had to leave just as we were with the TV on and everything.'
Her 91-year-old husband Sidney was being looked after by neighbours.
Linda and George Lisle, who live in one of the terraced houses, were alerted by police. Mr Lisle said: 'The police were at the door and told us what was going on. With all the smoke damage I doubt we will be going home tonight.'
Mrs Lisle added: 'I would just like to thank the firemen and the police, they have been working really hard - and the Shrubs as they have taken us in and given us coffee.'
Fire and police did not confirm whether anyone had been in the property at the time of the fire, but neighbours said they believed it had been empty, as they said they had not seen the occupant of the house for several days. CID officers were at the scene.
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