Woman has serious burns as flat evacuated in Norwich

The blaze broke out late last night with smoke filling the area around Holmes Close.

People were hurried out of the building by the emergency services as flames visibly lit up the flats behind them.

Flames could be seen coming out of one of the flat windows (Image: Kieryn Binks) The flat was evacuated with nine people being checked by ambulance crews (Image: Kieryn Binks)

Four ambulances, three ambulance officer vehicles, the Hazardous Area Response Team and a response car from the East Anglian Air Ambulance were all sent to the scene where they assessed nine people.

Of the group, one woman was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with serious burns.

After being called at 11.30pm crews from Sprowston, Carrow, Earlham and Wroxham wore breathing apparatus and used water jets to battle the blaze for more than two hours.

The aftermath of the flats this morning (Image: Kieryn Binks)

The burnt out window on the ground this afternoon (Image: Newsquest) The flat remains visibly burnt and smoked damaged this afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

They then used a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots to make sure the scene was safe.

The crews stood down at 1.16am, with people who live in the flats allowed to enter the homes once again.

A strong smell of smoke remains in the area today (August 16) - one woman who lives nearby said "It was awful".

Linda, who lives in one of the houses in Witard Road that overlooks the back of Holmes Close, said: “I got up about 1am and saw the flashing lights from my window and about three ambulances parked on the corner and lots of fire engines and police cars.

“I saw someone in a wheelchair covered by a blanket next to an ambulance.”

Norfolk Fire Service is at the scene today to investigate the cause of the fire.