Lowestoft: Man taken to hospital after Pakefield house fire

Fire crews have been at the scene in Stradbroke Road, Pakefield, since 8.40am this morning (December 16).

Homes were evacuated as the fire began to spread to neighbouring terraced homes but it is now under control.

A man has been rescued by workmen from his Pakefield home after it caught fire (Image: Tracy Vincent)

Andy Jackson, Fire Incident Commander, who is currently at the scene, said: "One man was rescued from the fire by workmen next door, who more or less saved his life.

"He is now in the care of hospital staff.

"We evacuated people in five properties due to tracking smoke who are now being cared for by local services at Lowestoft Fire Station.

"Fire crews remain at the scene currently working to make the scene safe."

The house in Pakefield was badly damaged in the fire (Image: Tracy Vincent)

The rescued man suffered minor burns in the fire and has been taken by ambulance to the St James Paget Hospital. 

An air ambulance was called to the scene, which landed in a nearby field.

Neighbour Tracy Vincent, who lives three doors down, was "shocked" after getting a knock at her door and seeing smoke coming from the terraced rooves.

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Firefighters tackling a fire in Pakefield (Image: Tracy Vincent)

The 59-year-old said: "It was such a shock but I'm relieved it wasn't any worse.

"We got a knock at the door by firefighters who told us to put some warm clothes on and get outside.

"When we got outside I could see smoke coming from the house at the end and it had spread along the rooves and guttering up to my house.

"It was scary."

An air ambulance was landed near to the scene of the house fire in Pakefield (Image: Mick Howes)

A road closure has been in place since 8.40am this morning on Stradbroke Road in the town.

Six fire crews attended, from Great Yarmouth, Beccles, North Lowestoft and two from South Lowestoft.