Neighbours looked on as firefighters doused flames at a derelict house in Little Plumstead today.

Four fire engines and around 20 firemen fought the blaze in the roof of the derelict house on Copeman Road, on the corner of Kevill Davis Drive at around 8.40am this morning (Saturday).

It is not believed anyone was in the house at the time of the fire.

Kevill Davis Drive was closed for around two hours as an aerial ladder dampened the flames. The road was partially reopened at around 10.30am.

It is believed the house was a former health authority building.

Joe Warns, station manager of at Bethel Street fire station in Norwich said the house had been used by squatters in the past, but it was not thought that anybody was in the house at the time of the fire.

'The roof is completely burnt and the ceilings have collapsed, but no persons are injured', he said. 'It is not believed there was anybody in the premises. We do not know who owns it.'

Tina Frosdick, who lives on Macmillan Way, was one of three neighbours who spotted the fire and raised the alarm.

'I had just been out for a run and as I came down the cycle path I smelt smoke. I could see the smoke coming out of the top of the building.

She said that she had run in front of the house when she set off and there was nothing going on. When she returned there was smoke, but the flames had not taken hold of the roof tiles.

Another neighbour said: 'The first thing we saw of it was when a neighbour rang on the doorbell and said they had called the fire brigade.

'The kids have been watching and there was some smoke and some flames. The fire brigade got here quickly and got it under control.

'We have lived here for four years and there has never been anyone living there.'

Do you live in Kevill Davis Drive or have photographs of the fire? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.