Neighbours react to fire in houses in Hall Road, Norwich

Firefighters were called to the incident involving four homes in Hall Road, Norwich at about 11.15pm on Monday. 

The fire is being treated as arson and a man aged, in his 50s, has been arrested in connection with the incident and taken to Wymondham police station for questioning where he remains.

The road was closed while emergency services attended the scene, including fire and ambulance.

People were evacuated from the homes and no one was injured.

"My son woke me up shouting 'fire'," said Gloria Evans, who lives in the neighbouring cul-de-sac.

Firefighters were called to the incident at around 11:15pm (Image: Contributed)

"I looked out of the window and saw flames and smoke billowing. It was horrendous.

"There were loads of fire engines and people were gathered on the grassy area at the end of the road.

"Our electricity cut off and didn't come back on until 4.30am.

"I’ve been awake all night. I tried to get back to sleep but I just couldn’t thinking about the fire."

The cause of the blaze is not yet known (Image: Newsquest)

The blaze is being treated as arson by Norfolk police, with a man aged in his 50s being arrested in connection with the incident and taken to Wymondham police station for questioning.

"It was horrendous," said one neighbour, who has asked to remain anonymous.

"My children woke me up at around 11pm and I could smell smoke and hear crackling.

"I just thought someone was having a fire in the garden.

"I looked out the window and all the homes were up in flames.

"There was lots of smoke and people were all gathered in the street watching."

Norfolk firefighters were still at the scene on Tuesday morning (Image: Newsquest)

Firefighters used hose reel jets and main reel jets to tackle the fire. 

The road was closed while emergency services attended the scene, including fire engines and an ambulance.

People were evacuated from multiple properties and no one was injured.

"I was up watching the telly," said Alexa Reynolds - whose house backs onto one of the properties.

"I heard crackling and initially thought it was a bonfire.

The aftermath of the fire (Image: Newsquest)

"But then I looked out the window and saw smoke and flames spreading across the roofs.

"The homes were glowing and I was amazed at the speed in which the fire was spreading.

"I was worried it could spread into my house.

"But then someone knocked at the door and told me, my daughter and my son that we needed to leave.

"We didn't come back in until quarter to four in the morning."

A number of gas vans were also at the scene on Tuesday morning (Image: Denise Bradley)

A spokesman for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said on arrival crews found the row of four homes well alight. 

Appliances from Carrow, Sprowston, Hethersett, Long Stratton, Earlham, Wroxham, Acle and Wymondham were called to the blaze. 

"I woke up and saw the flames from my top window," added Liam Bird, who also lives in the neighbouring street.

"They were higher than the chimneys.

"The fire spread fast.

Locals were evacuated from their homes during the blaze (Image: Denise Bradley)

"And then around 8 fire engines turned up and dealt with it very quickly."

Speaking to the BBC, Simon Mason from Norfolk Fire and Rescue said: “There was quite significant damage to one of the properties.

"Heavy fire damage to the entire roof void of all the other properties then lead to some water damage in the other properties.

"An investigation is underway.

"Our key message here is: make sure your smoke alarms are working and are in good positions in your home and have yourself an evacuation plan."