Ipswich: Firefighters tackled a blaze in an outbuilding behind an Ipswich pub.

The fire broke out behind the Maypole Public House in Old Norwich Road just after 10.15pm last night.

It involved an outbuilding measuring around 6m by 10m.

Trees and bushes were also caught up in the blaze.

There was also fears about butane cylinders in the outbuilding so crews fought the fire from a safe distance.

The incident was over by about 11.40pm.

The Maypole was evacuated until the blaze was under control.

However, no residents from near-by homes were forced to evacuate.

An Old Norwich Road resident said: “There was a lot of smoke but we didn’t see many flames. There were lots of firefighters on the scene.”

Two fire engines from Colchester Road attended.

Watch manager Clarke, who was on the scene, said: “The building was fully engulfed on our arrival.

“At the present moment, we do not know how the fire started. We attacked the fire when we first arrived and found that cylinders were involved and reverted to the policy for fires with cylinders and fought it from a safe distance.”

The fire was extinguished by about 11.30pm, with firefighters expected to be damping down for the next hour.

n Did you witness the fire? Call the newsdesk on 01473 324790 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk