A DOG and a cat were killed in a fierce blaze which swept through a four-storey house in Felixstowe's seafront area.Fire officers wearing breathing apparatus quickly searched the building fearing people may have been trapped inside but found no-one – though two of the occupants' pets were sadly found dead.

A DOG and a cat were killed in a fierce blaze which swept through a four-storey house in Felixstowe's seafront area.

Fire officers wearing breathing apparatus quickly searched the building fearing people may have been trapped inside but found no-one - though two of the occupants' pets were sadly found dead.

More than 20 firefighters dealt with the incident at Ordnance Lodge in Undercliff Road West.

The street was sealed off at Manning Road and the Ordnance roundabout as four crews, including the turntable ladder from Ipswich, attended the fire, which broke out at about 3.45pm.

An ambulance was also called to the scene as it was first feared there could be casualties.

Today the cause of the blaze, which started in the kitchen on the ground floor, was still being investigated.

Assistant divisional officer Paul Seager described the incident as a "serious fire" and it was lucky that there were no people inside at the time.

"When crews arrived there was a well-developed fire in the kitchen and the building was heavily smoke-logged," he said.

"We were informed by a passer-by that there was the possibility that there was someone inside as he had seen the people living there earlier.

"Crews made a thorough search of the building but there was no-one inside, but we did find a dog and a cat both dead. Another dog was also found and appears to be OK."

The fire was not considered to be suspicious though the cause was still being established. The fire was extinguished by 4.30pm but officers spent some time at the scene damping down and ensuring everything was safe.

Neighbours said the house was occupied by young people.