AROUND 40 firefighters were called to a serious roof fire in a flat in Kirkley, which has caused traffic chaos across Lowestoft.Fortunately no-one was hurt in the blaze, but three homes had to be evacuated as extensive damage was caused to the flat in London Road South and smoke spread to the adjacent premises each side.

AROUND 40 firefighters were called to a serious roof fire in a flat in Kirkley, which has caused traffic chaos across Lowestoft.

Fortunately no-one was hurt in the blaze, but three homes had to be evacuated as extensive damage was caused to the flat in London Road South and smoke spread to the adjacent premises each side.

The cause of the fire is as yet unknown, but the emergency services - who were called out at around 10am following reports that smoke had been spotted coming out of a property - were still on the scene to take the tiles from the roof.

Diversions were put in place by police, with London Road South closed at the junction of Carlton Road and Lorne Park Road.

Waveney Group Manager Assistant Divisional Officer John Tiffen confirmed that six fire engines from the district had been called to the scene, along with the hydraulic platform from Great Yarmouth, support units from Great Yarmouth and the forward control vehicle from Beccles were all in attendance.

“It was a serious call out as with a fire in the roof there is the potential for rapid spread all through the roof,” he said.

Eye-witnesses from neighbouring properties were waiting to see the extent of damage in their homes, and Angie Mann - who lives next door to the fire-hit flat - said: “I am still shaking now, there was smoke everywhere.”