A man has been arrested after a fire broke out at a block of flats in Norwich.

The blaze engulfed part of the two-storey building in Hill House Road, off Rosary Road in Thorpe Hamlet.

Fire crews and ambulances were in the area, close to the Coach and Horses pub, this morning.

Three crews from Sprowston, Hethersett and Aylsham used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

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A thermal imaging camera was also used to check for hot spots.

The crews battled the fire for around half an hour before being stood down at 8.30am.

It is believed that those living in the flats escaped unharmed.

The flats were left visibly damaged after the fireThe flats were left visibly damaged after the fire (Image: Newsquest)

Police were also called to the scene where a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life.

He was taken to Wymondham Police Station where he remains.

Callum Kerr-Bradley, who works at Rosary Road Convenience Store, said: "I'd been at work for about 45 minutes when someone rushed in and said the block of flats across the road was on fire. 

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"I looked outside and the building had loads of thick, black smoke coming out of it, but there wasn't too much fire.

"From the smell alone it seemed like there was a lot of burnt plastic."

- Additional reporting by Francis Redwood