A woman has praised the fire service after a blaze ripped through her home in Hempnall during the early hours of this morning, destroying it.

Eastern Daily Press: A house on Field Lane was ravaged by a fire during the early hours on this morning. Picture: Sonya Duncan.A house on Field Lane was ravaged by a fire during the early hours on this morning. Picture: Sonya Duncan. (Image: Archant)

Jemima Pine's house, on Field Lane, was engulfed in flames at around 3.46am.

She and her 18-year-old son Barnaby Pine escaped from the house but Mr Pine was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with burns on his arms after trying to put out the fire.

Five fire crews attended the blaze, believed to be started accidently by a tea light, which was under control by 8am.

Mrs Pine, 56, said: 'The fire service have been amazing.

'I've just managed to get into the back of the house and get some clothes. The Red Cross have been amazing and have supplied clothes.

'Neighbours who I do not know have been lovely and have supplied us with tea.'

A fire crew from Long Stratton were called back to the house at 9.22am to dampen down the smouldering to reinspect the property.

Kevin Flaxman, watch manager at Long Stratton fire station, said: 'By the time crews arrived the fire was fully developed.

'The whole of the upstairs was affected by the fire. The down stairs has bad water damage. But we saved the adjoining property.

'It empathises the importance of smoke alarms, especially in the night when you are asleep.'