Photos reveal extent of damage after 'devastating' blaze rips through flats

Billowing smoke filled the air as up to seven crews tackled the fire which started just off the A140 in Long Stratton, opposite the Shell Garage, at 1.50pm on Thursday (July 14).

Firefighters on an aerial ladder platform pictured extinguishing the blaze (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

The dramatic incident brought more than a dozen people into the streets looking on as firefighters battled the flames.

The blaze left some of the flats with no roof at all, while the others suffered serious damage.

Alison Thomas, south Norfolk district and Norfolk County councillor for Long Stratton, said that after being alerted to the incident via social media, she went to the scene to offer her support.

Fire in Long Stratton. Pictures: Brittany Woodman (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

Shocked bystanders observing the situation in Long Stratton (Image: Supplied)

She said: "My immediate thought was is everyone accounted for and is everyone safe?

"The next issue is how you deal with the aftermath of something like that happening.

There are six crews on the scene from Norfolk Fire. (Image: Contributed)

"A number of flats have been completely destroyed so people have lost everything - it is devastating."

Norfolk Constabulary closed the road for several hours while emergency services attended the scene but the route has since reopened.

The fire crews are putting out the fire revealing destroyed buildings] (Image: Archant)

Emergency services gather at the scene of the fire in Long Stratton (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

Gordon Oliver, station manager for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed there were no injuries.