Two people have been treated for smoke inhalation after a fierce blaze tore through an Ipswich property on Saturday evening.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, police and paramedics were called to Nacton Road just after 5pm.

The blaze affected both sides of adjoining properties near the junction with Queens Way - a business and flat on the left-hand side, and two flats on the right. The fire gutted the roof of one home.

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A cordon of around 150m is in place around the scene. There was a huge emergency service response, and Nacton Road is closed near the junction with Queens Way.

Will Tel, of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said two people were treated for smoke inhalation and were in the care of the ambulance service.

He said: “We received a call at 5.05pm. Initially we had reports of a building fire. There was smoke issuing from the roof."

He said crews arrived within five minutes and asked for extra resources as both buildings were on fire.

"We had initial concerns about people being in the property so we asked for additional resources again.

"We’ve currently (7.30pm) got six fire engines on scene, with an aerial ladder platform and an operations support unit here in addition to all the multi-agency partners.

"I’m pleased to say nobody’s hurt. All people accounted for and we’re now looking to scale things down. At the moment, we don’t know what the cause is. But we’re working with our partners in the police to establish what the cause is.

"We’re hoping to make a decision in the next 30mins as to what we need to keep here and then at what stage we can reopen the road.”

Fire crews expect to be on the scene overnight.

The fire chief added: “The ambulance police and fire all worked really well together. Initially, there was an awful lot going on with a lot of concerned residents.

"I think the crews worked very hard to get control of the incident and praise goes out to the police for giving us support and to the ambulance people who treated two people for smoke inhalation.”

Crews from Ipswich East, Woodbridge, Princes Street, Holbrook, Felixstowe, Needham Market, Hadleigh, Haverhill and Ixworth were all in attendance, along with at least four police cars and an ambulance.

Four firefighters used breathing equipment while tackling the flames, with one firefighter using an aerial lift platform.

Shortly after 7.30pm, it appeared the blaze was under control and some crews were leaving the scene. However, a large emergency response remained.

It is thought the ground floor of one side of the building may have been used as a shop premises.