AN INVESTIGATION is underway today into the cause of a fierce blaze which tore through an Ipswich bungalow sending a swirling plume of smoke billowing into the sky.

AN INVESTIGATION is underway today into the cause of a fierce blaze which tore through an Ipswich bungalow sending a swirling plume of smoke billowing into the sky.

The blaze ripped into the roof of a bungalow in Foxhall Road at around 6.00pm yesterday .

The elderly male occupant of the pink property, near to the crossroads with Heath Road, was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation before he was taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital.

As the fire took hold, hundreds of east Ipswich residents watched the drama unfold as around 60 per cent of the house roof was destroyed leaving only a skeleton structure.

Six appliances were called to the fire from Ipswich and Felixstowe. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were called out of the bungalow when parts of the roof began to collapse.

Assistant divisional officer Karl Rolfe said the cause of the blaze was as yet unknown.

He said: “It was certainly quite a severe fire.

“We received a number of calls indicating the building was well alight. We found a well-developed fire which established in the roof and caused parts of it to collapse.

“We tried to stay ahead of it to prevent it spreading to neighbouring homes which we have managed to do.”

Although the fire was brought under control by 7.15pm, ADO Rolfe said fire crews stayed for several hours damping down the flames.

Police were also called, with officers setting up diversions which caused minor congestion at the end of the rush hour.

Tim Luu, who works at Mandarin Chinese restaurant directly opposite the bungalow, said: “It was smoking first and then it gradually got worse as time went on.

“There's an old man who lives there. He comes in here and orders food sometimes.

“People kept coming to watch what was going on and the crowds soon built up.”

Ricky Clarke, whose parents live in the house next door to the bungalow said: “We saw the smoke and called the fire service, although I think several other people had called too.

“Thankfully it hasn't spread.”