FIRE in a closely-packed Ipswich estate set alarm bells ringing for stand-in military firefighters.While it was the most serious incident over a relatively quiet weekend, the potential powderkeg situation of a house fire in the Maidenhall estate that turned out to be no more than a smouldering rag.

FIRE in a closely-packed Ipswich estate set alarm bells ringing for stand-in military firefighters.

While it was the most serious incident over a relatively quiet weekend, the potential powderkeg situation of a house fire in the Maidenhall estate that turned out to be no more than a smouldering rag.

Two Green Goddesses lumbered to an empty house in Neath Drive at 5.20pm yesterday. A neighbour raised the alarm after his smoke alarm went off.

The ageing engines were accompanied by a breathing apparatus rescue team who entered the smoke-filled house to find the fire had not yet taken hold.

A police spokesman at the scene said it was possible the rag had been left by local youths or could have been part of a botched arson attempt.

He confirmed RAF fire crews were well in control of the situation and that no neighbouring properties were at risk.

Neighbours were milling around looking at the novelty of camouflage uniformed RAF personnel and the pair of Green Goddesses.

The ancient military relics have taken on a personality all their own and seemed something of a tourist attraction.

But funny as they may look, the ageing machines seem perfectly capable of performing their stand-in role.

Police escorts confirmed the convoy reached the scene in a matter of minutes from their base at the TA centre in Yarmouth Road.

The most testing section of the journey was getting residents to move their cars to clear a path along the tight Maidenhall streets.