Norwich: Neighbours react to fire in Press Lane, Mile Cross

Fire crews were called to Press Lane, off Aylsham Road in Mile Cross, at around 8.07pm on Sunday (July 16) to reports of a building blaze. 

The fire happened around 8.07pm on Sunday July 16 (Image: Nigel McKay)

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Katie Severson, 42, has lived in Berners Street for two and a half years with her husband and two young children, aged one and five.

Mrs Severson said: "I was putting the kids to bed when my husband noticed the house opposite was on fire.

"There were flames pouring out of the roof and windows - it was terrifying.

"My husband dialled 999 and we just got the kids up and ran out of the house - where my husband then took them to his mum's which is nearby.

"Black smoke continued to billow out of the roof while I went to check on our neighbours to make sure they were okay.

Nigel McKay, 66, dialled 999 when he saw the flames pouring from the building (Image: Newsquest)

"The main fear was how quickly the fire could spread because of how much the flames were rising.

"We just weren't sure what was going to happen."

At least five crews from Sprowston, Earlham, Carrow, and Hethersett tackled the fire until 9.36pm when the stop message was received. 

Two crews also returned at 4.45am as smoke lingered, to ensure the scene was safe, leaving at 5.26am.

At least five crews from Sprowston, Earlham, Carrow, and Hethersett tackled the fire (Image: Nigel McKay)

Another neighbour living nearby in Byfield Court, Nigel McKay, added: "I could smell burning before seeing smoke and flames pouring out of the building.

"I've never seen a house fire like it before.

The building was abandoned and no one was injured (Image: Nigel McKay)

"I dialled 999 and had a couple of fire engines outside the house about 30 minutes later trying to put the flames out."

Joanna Ionica lives directly opposite where the fire took place, in Press Lane (Image: Newsquest)

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Joanna Ionica lives opposite the abandoned building, the owner of which is thought to have died a few years ago.

The fire was tackled by emergency services until 9.36pm when the stop message was received (Image: Nigel McKay)

She said: "My daughter came downstairs panicking when she saw the flames going up.

"There were so much smoke and fire coming from the house and a few neighbours had come outside to see what was going on."

The aftermath of the fire at Press Lane, off Alysham Road (Image: Newsquest)