Fire ripped through flats above parade of shops in south Norfolk

Fire crews were called to a parade of shops on the A140 in Long Stratton, opposite the Shell Garage, just before 1.50pm on Thursday afternoon (July 14).

Following the fire, two flats were left with no roof at all, while the others suffered serious damage.

Gordon Oliver, station manager for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed nobody was injured in the blaze.

The dramatic blaze brought more than a dozen people into the streets looking on as fireflighters battled the flames.

Annie, a mum who lives nearby, said: “I was doing the school run when we saw it. Everyone was out looking at it.

"There were a couple of ambulances but I couldn’t see them treating anyone. I hope nobody was hurt.”

An employee at a nearby business, who did not want to be named, said: "Fire engines arrived really quickly.

"Three of the shops in the parade have caught alight and it spread across the roofs of the buildings."

A man who works in the area added that the flats looked "completely gutted".

He said: “It's just awful. I didn’t hear anything but a co-worker came in and told us. The smoke was so black and thick but it’s become more grey.”

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed at 4pm that fire crews were continuing to tackle the blaze.

Seven crews were sent to the scene from Earlham, Harleston, Sprowston, Wymondham and Hethersett.

Alison Thomas, south Norfolk district and Norfolk County councillor for Long Stratton, said that after being alerted to the incident via social media, she went to the scene to offer her support.

She said: "My immediate thought was is everyone accounted for and is everyone safe?

"The next issue is how you deal with the aftermath of something like that happening.

"A number of flats have been completely destroyed so people have lost everything - it is devastating."

After the fire began, Norfolk Constabulary closed the road and asked motorists to avoid the area.