TWO people escaped with their lives today when fire ripped through their caravan on the outskirts of Ipswich.Residents staying at the site rushed to the rescue of the husband and wife, who are believed to be from the Felixstowe area, after their caravan went up in flames shortly after 1.

TWO people escaped with their lives today when fire ripped through their caravan on the outskirts of Ipswich.

Residents staying at the site rushed to the rescue of the husband and wife, who are believed to be from the Felixstowe area, after their caravan went up in flames shortly after 1.15am.

It is understood that two men in a neighbouring caravan went to the aid of the couple after they saw a glow through their window, and helped drag them free from the inferno.

Three people were taken to Ipswich Hospital by ambulance following the drama, which happened at Low House caravan site in Bucklesham Road, Foxhall.

Keith Gibson, who is staying at Low House and witnessed the drama, said: "I saw what looked like a fire work outside so I went out and saw a woman lying in the doorway of her caravan. It was well alight and there was a man still inside.

"I saw a bloke from the caravan next door go to his aid and pull him from the blaze.

"The whole incident was very scary and I believe three people were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation."

The male occupier of the caravan is understood to have suffered severe burns to his back and shoulder. His wife is also believed to have suffered burns while one of the heroes who helped out suffered smoke inhalation.

Two fire engines from Ipswich attended the blaze and battled for nearly 50 minutes to bring the fire under control.

Sub Officer Chris Cage, based at Colchester Road, Ipswich said: "Three people were taken to hospital but I am not sure how badly burnt the two occupiers were.

"By the time we got to the fire the male and female occupants of the caravan were out and we did not have to rescue anybody.

"The job was made more difficult because of the gas cylinder at the front of the caravan. We firstly cooled the cylinder down before we tackled the fire.

"When there is total burnout such as this, it is often very difficult to establish the cause of the fire. At this stage I do not know if a fire investigation is going to take place."

Brian Saunders, warden at the caravan site, said: "All I am saying is that one person is lucky to be alive.

"The first I knew about it was when somebody banged on my door and I immediately rang the fire brigade and then the ambulance.

"It's the first fire we have ever had here."

Yesterday one fire crew from Colchester Road, Ipswich, attended a motorcycle fire in near The Drift, at about 7.36pm.

Earlier at about 6.40pm one crew from Stowmarket tackled a car fire in Church Road, Combs.