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Do you remember the fire that tore through Ipswich Buttermarket in Suffolk in 1992?
Shoppers and residents look on at the smouldering ruins of the Ipswich town centre building from behind safety barriers - Credit: Archant
It was a fire that changed the face of Buttermarket in the early 1990s, leaving a gaping hole in a Suffolk town centre.
Safety officers inspecting the damage to the structure of one of the Buttermarket buildings - Credit: Archant
It was August 1992 when the disaster struck, with an electrical fire starting in Hughes.
Shoppers and residents look on at the smouldering ruins of the Ipswich town centre building from behind safety barriers - Credit: Archant
It wasn’t long before the blaze had spread along the street, engulfing Aldertons shoe shop and The Bookstall Shop.
Many of the buildings were left as structural skeletons following the fire that ripped through the heart of Ipswich - Credit: Archant
Crews from across the county battled with the fire for several hours before bringing the flames under control.
Safety officers inspecting the damage to the structure of one of the Buttermarket buildings - Credit: Archant
They managed to save Ancient House, a Grade 1 listed building, parts of which date from the 15th century, which is now home to Lakeland. However, a number of the neighbouring buildings suffered severe damage, leaving them almost unrecognisable.
Safety officers inspecting the damage to the structure of one of the Buttermarket buildings - Credit: Archant
The fire came just months before the Buttermarket Shopping Centre opened.Do you remember how the events unfolded that day? Were you visiting the town centre at the time? Send us yout accounts and photographs, via email
Safety officers inspecting the damage to the structure of one of the Buttermarket buildings - Credit: Archant
Safety officers inspecting the damage to the structure of one of the Buttermarket buildings - Credit: Archant
For more nostalgic photographs showing the history of the town, including from our archives and those shared by the public, search for our Ipswich Remembers Facebook page.
Safety officers inspecting the damage to the structure of one of the Buttermarket buildings - Credit: Archant
The fire that destroyed Hughes, Aldertons shoe shop and a bookshop in The Buttermarket, Ipswich
The blaze was a few buildings from the Ancient House, a grade one listed building, parts of which dated from the fifteenth century
