Suffolk police have confirmed that a gun was fired during a incident in Ipswich this morning where items were set on fire and thrown at a house in Kelly Road.

Ipswich Star: Police at the scene of an incident in Kelly Road, Ipswich. Picture: GEMMA MITCHELLPolice at the scene of an incident in Kelly Road, Ipswich. Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

Shocked residents have described how they were woken at around 2.20am today by ‘loud bangs’, that ‘sounded like gun shots’ in the road near Chantry Park.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “Police investigating the incident can now confirm a firearm was discharged and some smoke damage was caused to the front door of the property as a result of items that were on fire being thrown at the property.”

She said police are treating the incident as attempted arson and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The National Police Air Service Helicopter hovered over the town this morning to help officers in the search for suspects but so far no arrests have been made.

Ipswich Star: Police at the scene of an incident in Kelly Road, Ipswich. Picture: GEMMA MITCHELLPolice at the scene of an incident in Kelly Road, Ipswich. Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

Part of Kelly Road was taped off by a police cordon and several officers guarded the area as people left their homes to go to work and take their children to school.

No one is believed to have been hurt as a result of this incident, which follows two other firearms offences in Ipswich’s Fuchsia Lane and Nacton Crescent in March this year.

Police are investigating possible links to a car fire in the early hours of Friday, June 16, at the same spot in Kelly Road, which officers are treating as arson.

One woman, who lives nearby, said: “I saw some lights and kids laughing around 2am.

Ipswich Star: Police at the scene in Kelly Road, Ipswich. Picture: GEMMA MITCHELLPolice at the scene in Kelly Road, Ipswich. Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

“Police came straight away and there were helicopters.

“There was fire on the grass. It was quite scary.”

Another woman who lives in the adjacent Copperfield Road said: “About 2.20am I heard loud bangs.

“My daughter lives across the street and she text me asking if I heard that sound, like shooting. She was a bit scared.

“I didn’t want to come out because you don’t know who is about. It definitely sounded like gun shots. The dog started barking next door.

“Last week a car was set on fire. It looks like it was in the same area.

“I know it can happen anywhere, but it was does worry me now there has been two incidents.

“You have in the back of your mind, ‘what will happen next?’”

One woman walking along Copperfield Road yesterday morning expressed her shock at what had happened.

She said: “It is really awful.

“Kelly Road is a little bit iffy, but it is a shock.

“It worries me in a way, but I know I have got good neighbours.”

Another woman on the school-run said she was woken up by around five gun shots in the small hours.

“They were really loud,” she added.

“Then two seconds later I saw a police car go past really fast.

“I felt really anxious. I couldn’t go back to sleep after that.”

One customer at a nearby shop said it was not unusual for events like this to happen in Kelly Road, adding that he was not worried about his safety.

Everyone wished to remain anonymous.

David Ellesmere, leader of Ipswich Borough Council and a councillor for the area, moved to reassure those living nearby.

He said: “We were shocked to here of this incident in Kelly Road and want to reassure residents living in the area the council takes this very seriously and that we shall be working closely in support of the police and other agencies to resolve the situation.”

Kelly Road is located just off Dickens Road and is in an area of Ipswich known locally as the Triangle Estate.

Suffolk police say the incident was targeted and that there is not thought to be any threat to the wider community.

However, police, including armed officers, will continue patrols in the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Yaxley, who is overseeing the investigation said: “We understand this incident will have caused some fear and concern to local residents and therefore we will be carrying out patrols alongside our active work to locate those responsible.

“We would ask anyone who may have information that may assist to come forward.

“While we have already spoken to a number of people who saw or heard things in the early hours we would ask anyone who was in the area around 2am – 2.30am to come forward.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Suffolk Police on 101, quoting CAD 42 of, Tuesday 20 June.