Halesworth fire leaves residents homeless

A number of people have been left homeless after a blaze in the historic centre of a Suffolk market town.

The fire broke out in a flat above a newsagent in Halesworth, at about 18:15 BST on Monday.

No-one was injured but some residents are unable to return to their homes. The town's councillor said the community was rallying to help those affected with offers of clothing.

Crews are still damping down and an investigation will begin later.

At its height about 20 fire appliances from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Norfolk tackled the blaze which had spread to two neighbouring buildings in Chediston Street.

The fire caused a roof to collapse, and a drone was used to identify hot spots.

The blaze was brought under control shortly before 02:00 but crews remain at the scene on Tuesday, damping down.

The fire is believed to have started in a flat above a shop

Fire crews were called out at about 18:15 BST

Group Commander Paul Field, from the Suffolk service said the blaze was "rapidly spreading" when crews first arrived.

"Firefighting conditions were quite difficult due to the age and construction of the building, creating many hidden voids for the fire to travel.

"Crews are still there this morning tackling hotspots."

He said a structural engineer would need to check the buildings before anyone else could go in.

The town's Conservative councillor, Tony Goldson, said dozens of people have come forward with offers of help for residents and businesses affected by the fire.

"There are two little children that lived in one of the flats, they've lost their clothes and people are saying we've got clothes they can have - spare school uniforms - there are lots of people very concerned."

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Those affected were staying with relatives, he said, but added: "There was a parrot that lived in the newsagent's and that was rescued as well."

"It brings a community - unfortunately in these circumstances - together. It brings out the best in Halesworth," Mr Goldson said.

'Get the parrot first': Bird saved from burning business

"That's my life," says David Patrick, choking back tears as he surveys the charred ruin of the newsagents he has run for 35 years in Halesworth.

"It was my father's business before me. I've gone through everything - bad times, good times - I've built the business from next to nothing.

"It's part of Halesworth. It's gutting. Heartbreaking."

The blaze is thought to have started in a flat above his shop, and when he arrived, a fireman asked him if he wanted them to try to get anything out for him.

I said: "The parrot, the parrot - so they grabbed him and pulled him out."

"Do you want the computers?"

"Get the parrot first."

So they got the parrot, then they saved some computers, he says.

Despite everything, Mr Patrick, who owns another shop in Framlingham, Suffolk, managed to deliver all the newspapers to the area on Tuesday morning.

"All my paper boys and all my men turned up... and we've got a plan of action how we're going to keep doing it," he says.

"I'm a local lad and I just want to keep everything going as it should be."

He says he "will rebuild". But he does not know how, or where.

A full investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to begin later following a visit by a structural engineer.

The fire caused a roof to collapse

The fire service is launching a drone as part of the investigation into the cause of the fire and extent of the damage