Warnings about anti-social behaviour from neighbours living near an abandoned building were ignored prior to the property going up in flames, it has emerged.
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.
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The fire forced one family to flee their home as the "terrifying flames" crept towards them.
Green city councillor Alex Catt says he had warned Norwich City Council about the security and dangers of the dilapidated building, but those warnings were ignored.
Mr Catt said: "Earlier this year I had corresponded with the council about this property a lot before this incident, after many residents raised concerns that it was not secured properly and was repeatedly being broken into, with police attending on numerous occasions to remove them.
"I was told that council officers visited the site but I always got the same answer - that it was 'secure enough' and no further action was taken.
"Following the fire, I contacted the council again to say it wasn't secured, with residents once again worried anyone who entered would be in even more danger considering the state of the property now.
"Unfortunately, they've said that they have no responsibility for the property going forward and so would not help with this matter."
A city council spokesman said: "While the maintenance of private property is generally the responsibility of the owner, the city council does have powers to secure a building or make it safe if necessary.
"We're in contact with the owners of this house in Press Lane and have visited it.
"A further site visit will take place shortly."
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Mr Catt added: "I'm concerned because the council did engage with me and didn't necessarily take heed of the warning signs.
"Now they don't seem to want anything to do with it.
"With such a serious issue I would expect them to be more concerned about people's safety."
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