A CHURCH minister and his young family were forced to flee to safety today as a fire tore through their Ipswich home.

A CHURCH minister and his young family were forced to flee to safety today as a fire tore through their Ipswich home.

Reverend Duncan Ibuuri, his wife and their three children escaped from the flames as they spread through the first floor of their Arundel Way house just after 5am.

When firefighters arrived they were so concerned about the seriousness of the blaze neighbouring properties were evacuated.

The house was badly damaged in the fire, which senior firefighters described as “severe”.

Damaged furniture could be seen in the rear garden of the property while the building suffered extensive smoke damage.

Ken Williamson, assistant divisional officer with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said the cause of the blaze was being investigated.

He said: “It is believed to be a possible electrical fault.

“When we arrived we were faced with quite a severe fire in the first floor bedroom. The family had evacuated and we evacuated neighbouring properties as well.”

He said the investigations would continue throughout the day.

For full story see today's Evening Star.