Locals were warned to shut their windows in Norfolk Drive, Attleborough, with emergency services called to the scene just after 3pm today (March 3).

Norfolk Fire and Rescue confirmed there were six appliances at the scene from Thetford, Hingham, Wymondham, Attleborough and two from Earlham. An aerial platform was also called from Earlham.

Locals described seeing emergency services and smoke in the area (Image: Denise Bradley)

A witness at the scene described it as "quite major", adding: "I have never seen so many emergency vehicles in this area."

Another resident who lives on Norfolk Drive said: "I didn’t see much, I was just sitting there watching TV. I could smell smoke, looked out the window and saw a massive black cloud.

"I picked up my phone and called 999. Husband saw police car and fire brigade. According to my son, there was a lot of shouting and screaming at the house.”

A third person near the affected area commented: "All I saw was the smoke and the emergency service vehicles turn up in the afternoon. It looked quite bad."

The road was blocked off by police while they attended the scene, with an investigation to determine the cause of the fire due to take place.

An investigation is due to take place (Image: Denise Bradley)

A spokesman for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “Local residents in the immediate vicinity should keep doors and windows closed. We are aware that smoke is visible from the A11."

Simon Mason, incident commander for Norfolk Fire and Rescue, said: "We were called at 3.05pm to a significant fire on the ground floor of property.

"Two occupants were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics.

"Due to seriousness of fire damage, police put a seal on the property overnight and a joint investigation from police and fire will begin tomorrow (March 4)."

© Eastern Daily Press