There were frightening scenes as a van ploughed into two homes leaving a trail of devastation on the junction of Field Lane and High Street in Kessingland, near Lowestoft late on Wednesday night.

The aftermath of the crash on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Such was the impact of the crash that a teenager sleeping on the ground floor of one of the properties - where a family of five are still waiting to be rehoused - was hit by flying debris.

The teenager's injuries. Image: Sonia (Image: Mick Howes)

His "bed shook" with the velocity of the crash as a black Renault van demolished brick walls, collapsed a wooden porch, uprooted a lamppost and became embedded in a home.

In total, five properties were affected by the "frightening" crash scenes - with major damage caused to the homes and a car.

The aftermath of the crash on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The van driver fled the scene before being arrested by police.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs and failing to stop or report an accident.

The aftermath of the crash on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

He was taken to hospital for assessment before being transported to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where as of Thursday afternoon he remained.

A 17-year-old boy needed treatment for shock and injuries and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston after bricks and debris went through the front window of one home, hitting him in the face and head.

Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Bricks were strewn across Kessingland High Street as windows had to be boarded up with a family of five people - two adults and three children, including the 17-year-old - having to spend the night in their car with no food or clothing.

As of Thursday lunchtime this family of five were still trying to overcome the shock having been unable to access the property due to it being unsafe structurally as they wait to be rehomed.

A relative said: "There is a family homeless now with the children all impacted and in shock.

"Leandro (the 17-year-old) had just got in bed - having moved downstairs following a similar crash about four years ago that left him shocked - when the vehicle went right through the window and his bed flew right up.

The aftermath of the crash on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Everyone has been left so very shaken."

The lamppost was ripped out during the crash and sent spiralling through the air, going over the top of the Renault car in the second set of homes - which had a window smashed and major damage caused to the roof of the vehicle - before ending up in the frontage of the fifth home.

The aftermath of the crash that damaged five homes as well as the car (above) on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Surveying the scenes on Thursday, after the late night drama, John Dorling has lived on Kessingland High Street for 19 years.

Recounting how he just gone to bed at around 11.30pm when he "felt a tremor, a loud bang like a gun had gone off."

John Dorling surveying the aftermath of the crash that damaged his home on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

He went outside and discovered the front window of his lobby had been smashed, with the wall badly cracked from the flying debris as the lamppost was in the frontage of his home.

The aftermath of the crash that damaged one of the homes on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Debris also damaged some of the tiles on the roof of his property.

"There was a gas leak and we had to turn all the electric off, " he said.

The aftermath of the crash on Kessingland High Street, with the broken lamppost that flew through the air. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The lamppost has gone over the car next door, causing significant damage, and it has ended up here.

"The impact must have been absolutely colossal."

John Dorling surveying the aftermath of the crash that damaged his home on Kessingland High Street. Image: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Police, the East of England Ambulance Service and three crews from Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service were called to the High Street in Kessingland just after 11.30pm on Wednesday, March 11, following reports that a van had careered off the road before colliding with a lamp post and several properties.

Locals reported that there may have been more than person in the vehicle when it crashed, and the occupants then fled the scene, although at the time of going to press just the driver had been arrested.

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Five properties were damaged in total homeowners had to initially be evacuated due to a gas leak caused as a result of the collision.

A lady living nearby, who did not hear the crash but was kept awake all night by the flashing lights and commotion said: “The work from the emergency services, it went on all night.

"It woke up the street, there were five houses involved and it is frightening to think it could happen like that.

“I could see the black van stuck in the house.

“The firefighters had hose reels running back and forth - they were working all through the night - it was so dramatic, like watching one of those films on TV.”

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Three fire crews - two from Lowestoft South station and Wrentham fire station - responded to the crash at 11.37pm on Wednesday night.

A spokesman said: "Three crews supported police colleagues at a one vehicle road traffic collision on High Street in Kessingland.

"This resulted in a gas leak and un-isolated electrics - Cadent and UK Power Networks attended with the stop called at 2.10am."

With the road closed on Thursday, one police car, East Suffolk Council housing officers, repairs were carried out by workmen alongside teams from Cadent and UK Power Networks.

A Cadent spokesman, for the gas emergency service, said: "We were called to a report of a gas escape last night, after a road traffic incident where a vehicle hit a gas service pipe and the gas meter at a property on the High Street in Kessingland.

"Working alongside the other emergency services, we were able to stop the gas escape and completed a temporary repair in the early hours of this morning.

"The gas supply to the property will be restored once the damage to the building has been completed."

Witnesses to the crash or anyone with information should call police quoting CAD 386 of March 11 on 101.

© Eastern Daily Press