A number of Ipswich residents have been evacuated from an Ipswich tower block. 

St Francis Tower was evacuated overnight after a huge water leak caused significant damage to the building. 

A spokesman for the Suffolk Resilience Forum confirmed that the building had been evacuated. 

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service sent five appliances to the scene at about 10.45pm on Saturday. 

A letter sent to residents that has been seen by this paper reads: "Due to the major leak at the site that occurred yesterday, the fire brigade in the early hours of this morning were forced to evacuate the building. 

"This was due to the 7th floor and down being severely damaged, and the whole site being without water or electricity, a high fire risk due to the electrics being compromised, no working sprinkler system, no safe means of escape due to water pouring down the stairs and other contributing factors not least of which that the building is no longer habitable. 

"It is too early to say how long it will take for the building to be repaired, this is now in the hands of the building insurers, their loss adjustors and their surveyors and preferred contractors.

"We understand that this is very alarming news, and you will have questions, but we urge everyone to please use the portal or email, and look out for portal updates as it is not going to be possible to answer all the calls we are receiving regarding the matter."

Ipswich Town Council provided a rest centre with showers, beds, meals and toys for the children until temporary accommodation was arranged on Sunday afternoon.

The council has supported displaced residents by securing temporary accommodation, allowing the building owner and their insurers time to fully assess the situation and determine next steps.